Boston’s Home for Health That Actually Matters
Boston Health Journal was built for one reason: because people in Boston deserve health information that is accurate, local, and written for real life — not buried in medical jargon or hidden behind a paywall.
We are an independent health publication covering the health and wellness topics that matter most to Boston residents. Whether you are navigating the city’s healthcare system, tracking a public health alert, trying to understand a diagnosis, or simply looking for reliable guidance on fitness and mental wellbeing — this is where you come.
What sets us apart from most health websites is simple: our content is written by doctors. Not summarized from medical sources by generalist writers — written by practicing physicians who understand clinical medicine, understand Boston’s healthcare landscape, and know what patients actually need to hear.
What We Cover
Boston is one of the most medically rich cities in the world, home to Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and dozens of world-class research institutions. And yet, for everyday residents, making sense of health information — local alerts, insurance questions, fitness science, mental health resources — can still feel overwhelming.
That is the gap we exist to close.
Boston Health Journal publishes in-depth, well-researched articles across six core areas:
Boston Health — local public health alerts, Boston hospital coverage, city-specific health programs, and community health resources. When there is a measles exposure at Logan Airport or a new initiative from the Boston Public Health Commission, we cover it thoroughly.
Medical News — explainers on medical terminology, healthcare policy, public health organizations, and developments in medicine that affect Boston residents and the broader public.
Fitness — evidence-based coverage of exercise science, training principles, and physical performance, written for people who want to understand the why behind the workout.
Mental Health — honest, stigma-free reporting on mental health conditions, warning signs, treatment options, and the best research on what actually helps.
Health & Wellness — practical, everyday guidance on nutrition, sleep, preventive care, and the lifestyle habits that build long-term health.
Healthcare & Insurance — plain-English explanations of how health insurance works, what terms like deductibles and copays actually mean, and how to navigate the American healthcare system without a law degree.
Our Writers
Every article on Boston Health Journal is written by a licensed physician. Here is who is behind the content you read.
Dr. Sarah Merritt, MD, MPH
Dr. Sarah Merritt is an internal medicine physician at Boston Medical Center, with a public health background from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her clinical work sits at the intersection of preventive care, underserved communities, and health systems — the same issues at the heart of BMC’s mission.
At Boston Health Journal, Dr. Merritt covers Boston Health, Healthcare & Insurance, Medical News, Health & Wellness, and Fitness topics. Her writing brings the perspective of a clinician who works directly with Boston’s most vulnerable patient populations and understands both the medicine and the system around it.
Dr. James Okafor, MD
Dr. James Okafor is a Boston-based physician and contributing writer at Boston Health Journal. He covers topics across Boston Health, Medical News, and Mental Health, with a particular focus on community health, health equity, and accessible medical education for general audiences.
Our Standards
Every article published on Boston Health Journal is:
Written by a practicing physician. Our authors are not health bloggers or content generalists. They are licensed doctors who bring clinical expertise and real-world patient experience to every piece they write.
Researched before it is written. We consult primary sources — peer-reviewed studies, CDC and WHO guidance, official statements from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston Public Health Commission, and leading Boston medical institutions — before a single word is drafted.
Factually accurate. We do not publish until we are confident the information is correct. Where data changes or new information emerges, we update our content.
Source-cited. We believe in showing our work. Every specific claim in our articles is tied to a credible source — government agencies, academic research, or established healthcare institutions. You will always know where our information comes from.
Local when it counts. We are not a national health wire repackaging press releases. When Boston-specific information exists — local clinic numbers, Massachusetts DPH guidance, Greater Boston exposure windows — we find it and include it.
Written for people, not algorithms. We care deeply about search visibility, but never at the cost of accuracy or reader usefulness. Our job is to give you information you can actually act on.
Who We Are For
Boston Health Journal is for anyone who lives in, works in, or cares about health in Greater Boston — and for the broader audience of readers across the country who come to us for reliable health explainers, fitness science, and medical news.
You do not need a medical degree to read us. Our doctors handle that part. You just need to care about your health, your family’s health, or your community’s health.
Get in Touch
Have a question, a story tip, or something you think we should be covering? We want to hear from you.
Visit our Talk to Us page to reach out directly.
To learn more about the vision behind this publication, visit our Our Vision page.
Boston Health Journal is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with any hospital, insurance company, or pharmaceutical organization. Our editorial decisions are made independently, without advertiser influence.