health, PUBLIC policy, science, And cultureSelected work by Julia Belluz
Julia Belluz’s work sits at the crossroads of health, public policy, science, and culture. She is best known for blending scientific rigor with narrative clarity — helping readers make sense of confusing, contradictory, or politicized information.
Her reporting examines how evidence is produced, how it’s communicated, and how systems — from healthcare to food environments — shape outcomes far beyond individual choice.
Investigating health, systems, and powerSelected Reporting & Essays
A curated selection of long-form reporting and opinion pieces published in leading international outlets. These stories reflect Julia’s core interests: nutrition and metabolism, chronic disease, public health failures, medical misinformation, and the structural forces that influence health and inequality.
The French Secret to Healthier Eating — New York Times
It's Not You. It's The Food. — New York Times
Obesity in the Age of Ozepic — Vox
Scientists Don’t Agree on What Causes Obesity, but They Know What Doesn’t — New York Times
The Doctors Are Not Alright — Vox
Dark chocolate is now a health food. Here’s how that happened. — Vox
Why you shouldn’t exercise to lose weight, explained with 60+ studies — Vox
The Extraordinary Danger of Being Pregnant and Uninsured in Texas — ProPublica
What I learned about weight loss from spending a day inside a metabolic chamber — Vox
We visited one of America’s sickest counties. We’re afraid it’s about to get worse. — Vox
How McKinsey Infiltrated The World of Global Public Health — Vox
The Making of Dr. Oz — Vox
For more, you may view Julia’s archives in The New York Times and Vox.
explaining the evidenceInterviews and conversations
Julia regularly appears on podcasts and videos to discuss food systems, health journalism, misinformation, and the science behind nutrition. These conversations expand on her reporting and explore how evidence is translated for public understanding.
It’s Not Just You—Bad Food Habits Are Hard To Shake — Science Friday
Eating with Intelligence — EconTalk
What’s the matter with America’s Food — The Ringer
Why unhealthy eating isn’t always a matter of choice — CBC The Current
The Doctors are not all right — Today Explained
Recorded conversationsSubscribe and collaborate
Julia publishes essays and commentary through her Substack newsletter and shares updates about her work across select social platforms. In addition to reporting and opinion writing, Julia is available for interviews, speaking engagements and moderated conversations as well as writing assignments and editorial collaborations. If you’re interested in working together or inviting Julia to contribute to a conversation, you’re welcome to get in touch.