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

Cows at Norm-E-Lane farm, a dairy farm in Chili, Wis., June 18, 2025. Whey, the liquid byproduct of cheese making, was once considered waste. In the United States, the term bird flu has become synonymous with a particular virus that has devastated poultry and dairy farms over the past few years. But that virus, called H5N1, is not the only form of bird flu in circulation. (Tim Gruber/The New York Times) By APOORVA MANDAVILLI In the United States, the term bird flu has become

A Narcan kit, on April 23, 2025. Less than 24 hours after the Trump administration informed more than 2,000 addiction and mental health programs nationwide last week that it was immediately terminating almost $2 billion of their funding, the administration reversed course and reinstated the money. (Arin Yoon/The New York Times) By JAN HOFFMAN Less than 24 hours after the Trump administration informed more than 2,000 addiction and mental health programs nationwide that it was

Secretary of Health and Human Service Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks about new dietary guidelines during a briefing for reporters at the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. In a striking reversal of past nutrition guidance, the Trump administration released new dietary guidelines that flip the food pyramid on its head, putting steak, cheese and whole milk near the top. (Eric Lee/The New York Times) By ALICE CALLAHAN and DANI BLUM In a striking reversal of pas

To counteract the midday gloom, consider a brief yoga break. (Theodore Tae/The New York Times) By CHRISTINE YU For many people, the afternoon is a dreaded time of day when energy slumps, concentration fizzles and stress builds. To counteract the midday gloom, consider a brief yoga break. It’s a great way to pause and reset your body and mind, said Elena Cheung, a yoga instructor and yoga teacher trainer in Seattle. Yoga can also help offset the effects of prolonged sitting, s

Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found. (Jackson Gibbs/The New York Times) By PAULA SPAN Let’s be clear. The primary reason to be vaccinated against shingles is that two shots provide 90% protection against a painful, blistering disease that a third of Americans will suffer in their lifetimes, one that can cause lingering nerve pain and other nasty long-term consequences. The most important reason for older adu

A 20-minute workout to build strength for everyday tasks; practicing these pushing and pulling exercises can make daily movements feel more comfortable. (Theodore Tae/The New York Times) By ALYSSA AGES Pushing and pulling are two of the movements you do most throughout the day. Though they seem simple, daily tasks like opening a door, pushing a stroller and pulling out a load of laundry all require strength, control and coordination. Pushing motions rely on your shoulder and