About Healthy Monday

Healthy Monday, part of the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health at Syracuse University, is a public health initiative dedicated to fostering change, uniting communities, and reducing the risk of chronic disease. By using the powerful Monday effect, participants can develop consistent healthy habits and practice them throughout the week. Our evidence-based tools and practices will help get you on track and keep you moving in the right direction.

Why Monday?

Research shows that healthy thinking and behavior are synchronized with the week and that Monday is the day people are most open to positive changes. People who start a healthy habit on a Monday are also more likely to sustain that habit throughout the rest of the week. We offer health promotions that leverage this Monday “fresh start” mindset and provide weekly cues to help you create life-long healthy habits.

Our History

Healthy Monday was founded by Sid Lerner, a Syracuse University (SU) alumnus and former advertising executive who applied his marketing expertise to public health. In 2003, he launched Meatless Monday, an evidence-based initiative to encourage meat reduction, supported by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF). This campaign laid the foundation for a broader movement, using Monday as a fresh start for healthy behaviors. Over time, additional Monday campaigns were created to address key public health challenges, including Move It Monday for physical activity and DeStress Monday for stress management. These campaigns and their resources have since been integrated into Healthy Monday, creating a more comprehensive approach to health and wellness. By harnessing the power of Monday, Healthy Monday continues to help individuals and organizations build sustainable health habits.

Learn more about Sid and his legacy in public health promotion here.

In 2025, Healthy Monday became part of the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health at Syracuse University, which now owns and operates its website, content, and ongoing initiatives.

Allied Initiatives 

SU’s Healthy Monday initiative is one of several Monday campaigns supported by academic institutions working to improve public health through the Monday cue. We’re proud to work alongside the following institutions and their initiatives to spread the Monday movement.

Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (Meatless Monday):

Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) leads the Meatless Monday campaign, a key initiative of the Healthy Monday movement. Launched in 2003 by Sid Lerner in collaboration with CLF, Meatless Monday encourages people to skip meat one day a week for better health and a healthier planet. This simple yet impactful message has gained global traction, demonstrating how eating more plant-based foods can help reduce chronic disease risks, conserve natural resources, and combat climate change. CLF has been instrumental in providing scientific guidance and technical support to the campaign, leveraging expertise from across Johns Hopkins University. With its widespread adoption in over 40 countries and support from various sectors, Meatless Monday continues to inspire healthier eating habits worldwide.

NYU Langone (Healthy Monday for Hospitals):

NYU Langone Health (NYULH) is expanding Healthy Monday programming to align with the unique social and physical environments of hospitals and healthcare systems. By leveraging the Healthy Monday cue to promote healthier behaviors related to nutrition, physical activity, stress, and other essential areas of self-care, this programming can support healthcare workers, patients, and their families on their wellness and self-care journeys.

Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Healthy Monday for Healthcare Workers):

The Integrative Therapies Program team at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) has integrated Healthy Monday practices into various programs to support healthcare workers, caregivers, and residents. These programs, which include Healthy Monday for Healthcare Workers and Resident Education in Sleep Techniques (REST), provide self-care practices, stress management techniques, sleep improvement strategies, and wellness research to foster a culture of well-being at medical centers and beyond.