An empty classroom at the high school in Williston, N.D., during an outbreak of measles there, May 19, 2025. Longtime allies of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s health secretary, have launched a new effort to repeal laws that for decades have required children to be vaccinated against measles, polio and other diseases before they enter day care or kindergarten. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times) By CHRISTINA JEWETT Longtime allies of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s healt

When it comes to longevity, bigger is not always better. (Jackson Gibbs/The New York Times)  By HILARY ACHAUER These days, you might think you have to become a power lifter to age well. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a celebrity physician, calls muscles “the organ of longevity.” For Dr. Peter Attia, they’re “the most important retirement accounts you can have.” We’re often reminded that muscle mass starts to decline as early as 30, and that it becomes harder to build muscle as we get ol

Sabrina and Cameron Scully with their 2-month-old son in Denver, Jan. 27, 2026. Rattled by the CDC’s actions and the spread of measles, some parents are scrambling to figure out how to best protect their children. (Matt Nager for The New York Times) By MAGGIE ASTOR A father in North Carolina is delaying taking his infant son to see his parents. A mother in Washington state is switching pediatricians. And some parents are vaccinating their babies against measles early. They ar

Decades of research suggests that your diet can influence the risk of various cancers. (Bobbi Lin/The New York Times) By NINA AGRAWAL Over decades, a growing body of literature has shown clear links between what we eat and how likely we are to develop various cancers. In recent years, the research has moved away from the impact of individual “superfoods” and antioxidants to focus on how overall, long-term dietary habits affect risk. That’s not to say that any individual cance

A worker prepares polio vaccines at a pop-up clinic at the Rockland County Department of Health in Pomona, N.Y. on July 22, 2022. (Victor J. Blue/The New York Times) By APOORVA MANDAVILLI Offering a startlingly candid view into the philosophy guiding vaccine recommendations under the Trump administration, the leader of the federal panel that recommends vaccines for Americans said shots against polio and measles — and perhaps all diseases — should be optional, offered only in

Walking is one of the simplest ways to get moving. Here’s how it affects your fitness. (Eric Helgas/The New York Times) By ALLESSANDRA DiCORATO Q: I know walking is good for my body. But can it be my only form of exercise? A: Stepping outside for a brisk walk can bring significant health benefits. Walking has been linked to improved blood pressure, better mental health and lower risks of falls, cardiovascular disease and dementia. It’s also an accessible way to get moving tha

By NINA AGRAWAL Despite gains in treatment, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for nearly 3 in 10 fatalities — 916,000 — in 2023, according to a report published Wednesday by the American Heart Association. It outnumbers deaths from the second- and third-leading causes — cancer and accidental injuries — combined. The statistics are a sobering reminder that there is “a lot of work to do” when it comes to prevention and tr

To live a healthy life, it’s crucial to have a healthy brain. (Eiko Ojala/The New York Times) By DANA G. SMITH Every January, Well offers readers a five-day challenge to improve some aspect of their health. This year’s edition is focused on the brain. There are a lot of scary headlines about brains these days. One recent report estimated that the number of people in the United States with dementia would double by 2060. That figure doesn’t tell the whole story: Though the tota