Cultivating Well-being and Nutrition

The right balance is possible

From fast food to no food, from the obesity epidemic sweeping the globe to social isolation and unhappiness, we’re still plagued by barriers to human thriving. The links between our health and how we feel, interact, and live are complex and clouded. But the path forward has never seemed clearer.

We’re leading the way in determining how genetics, lifestyles and societies interact to influence everything from metabolism to mental health. We’re designing sustainable strategies to feed an exploding population. We’re leading cutting edge research to understand how diet impacts health at molecular and population levels—and how where we live, learn, work, and play influences our health. But it doesn’t stop at the science: we’re also shaping sustainable food policies, finding new ways to measure well-being, and providing insights to empower individuals and drive real-world progress.

We’re advancing health and happiness for all.

Recent Stories

Waning immunity allowed Massachusetts mumps outbreaks

In 2016 and 2017, the number of mumps cases in Massachusetts was 250 and 170, respectively, a large increase from the average of 10 cases annually in the state. Most patients in these outbreaks had been vaccinated, and some researchers speculated that…

Increasing awareness of eating disorders

Eating disorders affect everyone, regardless of race or gender. A February 16, 2020, NECN’s This is New England broadcast featured a panel discussion that included S. Bryn Austin and focused on how eating disorder symptoms affect girls and women, as well as…

Climate in the clinic

Physicians, health leaders discuss how to address the health impacts of climate change February 19, 2020 – Climate change—and how it affects health—should be front and center for doctors, health care workers, and hospitals. That was the key message at a February…

Silica dust could harm health of Mass. commuter rail workers

Sand used on train tracks to improve traction could pose a health threat for Massachusetts commuter rail employees working in train cabs, according to a recent news report. A February 6, 2020 WCVB Channel 5 article described how corrosion in the sand…

Climate change can harm both health and health systems

The warming planet could worsen health for patients with chronic conditions, lead to new health harms, and wreak havoc with health systems, according to an expert from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Renee Salas—an emergency room doctor, a Yerby Fellow at the…