Purchases under federal SNAP program show higher spending on less healthy foods
September 18, 2017 – The SNAP program—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps—is a federal program designed to reduce food insecurity and help families obtain nutritious foods. But a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan…
Improving diet quality over time linked with reduced risk of premature death
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 Boston, MA – People who improve the quality of their diets over time, eating more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish and less red and processed meats and sugary beverages,…
Harvard Chan School awarded $4.9 million to create microbiome biobank
May 24, 2017— Scientists are just beginning to understand the many ways in which our microbiomes—the trillions of microbial organisms that live on and inside our bodies—influence a range of threats to human health including cancers, diabetes, heart…
Expanding SNAP to promote healthy diets for low-income Americans
April 7, 2017 —Sara Bleich, professor of public health policy at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, recently co-authored a Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine that offered ideas for modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…
Alcohol in moderation can be good for the heart
An alcoholic drink or two per day may boost heart health by helping to maintain “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels, according to a study of a Chinese population presented at the American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans. The…
Healthy plant-based diet linked with substantially lower type 2 diabetes risk
For immediate release: June 14, 2016 Boston, MA ─ Consuming a plant-based diet—especially one rich in high-quality plant foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes—is linked with substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes,…
Philadelphia moves toward sugary drink tax
Philadelphia could become the first big city in the nation with a tax on sugary beverages, after its City Council voted in favor of a 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on soda and other sugary drinks. Advocates for the move say…
Trauma and PTSD symptoms linked to increased risk of blood clots in women
For immediate release: May 14, 2016 Boston, MA ─ Women who have experienced trauma and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be at greater risk for developing a potentially fatal blood clot disorder called venous thromboembolism (VTE)…
To press (coffee) or not to press?
European pressed coffee has become more fashionable in the U.S. But it may have a negative impact on health if you drink too much, according to nutrition expert Eric Rimm of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.…
Heart disease prevention tool shows promise
March 2, 2016 -- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and a healthy lifestyle is key to prevention. But the prevalence of healthy behaviors among U.S. adults is low. Current prevention strategies focus…
