Farewell, Readers, It’s Been a Remarkable Ride
nytimes.comThe very first Personal Health column, published in The New York Times on Nov. 10, 1976, appeared under a headline that I, its author, took seriously and hoped readers would too: “Jogging Is Like a Drug: Watch Dosage, Beware the Problems.” In the decades that followed, Personal Health by Jane E.
Brody has had a very rewarding run. Countless readers have told me how one or more of my columns had improved — or even saved — their lives or that of their loved ones.
Doctors often wrote to say they used my columns to help inform their patients. When The Times asked me to take on this weekly assignment, I was assured I could discuss any topic relevant to people’s health and well-being.
Rarely was there any debate over the topics I wanted to take on — though there was the column on masturbation in 1982, which was ultimately published four years later when the paper overcame its squeamishness about sexuality.
