The positive health effects of prosocial behaviors
Laura Kubzansky, professor of social and behavioral sciences, argues that prosociality is a critical, but underappreciated, factor affecting population health—and that public health researchers and practitioners should invest more resources to better understand it.
Researchers discover associations among PTSD, diet, and the gut microbiome
A new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Chan School investigated the relationship between PTSD, diet, and the gut microbiome, and found that participants who adhered to a Mediterranean diet experienced decreased PTSD symptoms.
Air pollution exposure may increase risk of depression in elderly people
Long-term exposure to air pollution may lead to higher risk of depression later in life, according to a new study led by Harvard Chan School.
Work and Well-Being Initiative advises on new Surgeon General’s Framework
Researchers affiliated with the Work and Well-Being Initiative served as advisors for a new Surgeon General’s Framework on workplace mental health and well-being.
Psychological distress before COVID-19 infection may increase risk of long COVID
For immediate release: September 7, 2022 Boston, MA – Psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, worry, perceived stress, and loneliness, before COVID-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of long COVID, according to researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan…
PTSD linked with accelerated cognitive decline in middle-aged women
Middle-aged women with symptoms of PTSD may face faster cognitive decline than women without such symptoms, according to a study from Harvard Chan School.
“Work Design for Health” framework and toolkit developed by researchers at Harvard Chan School and MIT Sloan School of Management offers employers effective alternative to employee wellness programs
For immediate release: Thursday, September 9, 2021 Boston, MA – The “Work Design for Health” framework—developed by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and MIT Sloan School of Management researchers—maps how to create work environments that foster…
Psychological health linked to heart health
Mental health and well-being appear to be connected to biological processes and behaviors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.
PTSD with depression may significantly increase risk of early death in women
For immediate release: December 4, 2020 Boston, MA – Women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have an almost fourfold greater risk of early death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, accidents, suicide, and other…
Optimism linked with lower risk of high blood pressure
People who had the highest levels of optimism—the tendency to believe good events are likely and bad events are unlikely—had a 22% lower risk of developing hypertension than those with the lowest levels of optimism, according to a…