Courtenay Harris Bond
Courtenay Harris Bond is the staff writer covering health for PhillyVoice. She enjoys writing about behavioral health, maternal health and inequities in the healthcare system, as well as human rights and criminal justice. A veteran daily newspaper reporter, Courtenay has also written for national outlets, including KFF Health News, Undark Magazine and Filter. She was a 2018 Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism and has master's degrees from Columbia Journalism School and the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education.
November 26, 2025
Prevention
Treating sleep apnea early may help prevent Parkinson's disease, study finds
People with untreated sleep apnea were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease, a new study finds. Using CPAP machines appears to reduce the risk.November 25, 2025
Adult Health
The brain has 5 stages, but 'adulthood' doesn't begin until age 32, scientists say
The human brain passes through five structural stages during life marked by four major 'turning points,' new research shows. 'Adolescence' stretches from 9 to 32, when 'adulthood' begins.November 24, 2025
Mental Health
Thanksgiving travel may be particularly stressful this year. Here are tips to cope with the uncertainties and frustrations
Traveling at Thanksgiving can be stressful — particularly when taking flights. A psychologist offers four tips to manage the anxiety, frustrations and uncertainties that come with holiday travel.November 21, 2025
Addiction
Fatal overdoses involving stimulants have spiked. Local health officials are responding.
University of Pennsylvania researchers created a tool to identify people at risk of overdosing on stimulants like cocaine and meth as fatal overdoses spike nationwide.November 20, 2025
Health Stories
Singing the national anthem before sporting events has helped this South Jersey woman cope with OCD
Ryan Brown, 19, of Marlton, New Jersey, says singing in front of crowds helps her cope with her OCD and anxiety. She has performed the national anthem before numerous sporting events and hopes to one day bring music into the classroom as an elementary school teacher.November 19, 2025
Addiction
Even smoking a few cigarettes a day drastically increases risk of heart disease
Smokers who cut way back on cigarettes without quitting still face a significant risk of heart disease and death, a new study finds. The research also found that it takes years longer than previously thought for former smokers to reach health markers of non-smokers.November 18, 2025
Addiction
Support groups for alcohol use disorder are more effective when they are attended in person
People who attend in-person support groups for alcohol use disorder have better recovery outcomes than people who only attend virtually, new research shows.November 18, 2025
Adult Health
New insights on weight-loss drug Mounjaro may lead to better treatments for impulsive eating
Tirzepatide, branded as Mounjaro and Zepbound, may temporarily reduce cravings that can lead to binge eating, a study by University of Pennsylvania scientists suggests. The insights may lead to better treatments for impulsive eating, researchers say.November 13, 2025
Health Stories
Nurse who beat hard-to-treat cancer says she stayed strong by thinking of herself as a 'survivor'
Zipporah Washington was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving a heart tumor earlier this year. On Thursday, she reunited with the Temple Health team that helped her beat the aggressive cancer.November 12, 2025
Mental Health
1 in 8 young Americans use ChatGPT or other AI bots for mental health issues
1 in 8 young Americans are using AI chatbots for mental health advice, a new study finds. The low-cost, immediacy and perceived-privacy of AI likely account for their use, researchers said.Just In
- 'Task' creator Brad Ingelsby, star Mark Ruffalo sign letter against Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
- Waymo's self-driving vehicles may help Philly fill its many potholes
- Speed cameras activated on stretch of Route 13 in Northeast Philly
- Can I opt out of having my doctor take notes with AI?
- Sixers will pick No. 22 or No. 23 overall in 2026 NBA Draft courtesy of Houston Rockets, Jared McCain trade
- WNBA officially expanding to Philadelphia
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