Helen Palmer has been the senior health desk correspondent for American Public Media’s Marketplace since 1998, covering health and business. In 2000 the New England Chapter of the Medical Writers of America honored Palmer with its Will Solimene Award of Excellence for the series, Wanted for Questioning: America's Most Profitable Drug Companies.

A native of Bewdley, England, Palmer came to the US in 1987 and began working as a freelance reporter for the BBC and NPR. In 1991, she joined Monitor Radio in Boston as a reporter specializing in international affairs, defense matters and culture. During six years at Monitor Radio, Palmer’s roles included producing Early Edition and Midday Edition, hosting a daily news magazine on shortwave radio, and working as deputy host for Early Edition. She also co-hosted the award-winning live transatlantic special, The Balkans: Which Way Out?

Palmer began her broadcasting career in 1969 at the BBC, where she worked for 15 years as a reporter, producer, host and studio manager. A joint honors graduate in English and drama of the University of Bristol, UK, Palmer has a working knowledge of French, German and Spanish, and in her free time gardens and keeps bees.