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.
May 27, 2024
Health Stories
Advances in melanoma treatment saved this Lansdale man's life and changed his outlook
After being diagnosed with melanoma, Jake Schuster received immunotherapy infusions and a checkpoint inhibitor. Three years later, he remains cancer free. Immunotherapy and targeted therapies like BRAF and MEK inhibitors are being credited with reducing skin cancer death rates.May 23, 2024
Healthy Eating
Decaf coffee often contains chemical that may cause cancer, advocacy groups say
Decaffeinated coffee often contains methylene Chloride, a chemical that has been linked to cancer and other health issues. In January, the FDA filed a petition advocating for banning the chemical in food.May 22, 2024
Addiction
More Americans now use marijuana every day than alcohol, study finds
For the first time, the number of Americans who say they use marijuana every day outnumbers the number who say they consume alcohol daily, according to 2022 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.May 22, 2024
Children's Health
There's a better treatment for lazy eye than the standard approach, study finds
Most children with amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, only may need to wear glasses for several weeks – and not several months – before patching, according to a new study published in The Lancet.May 21, 2024
Senior Health
Few nursing homes in Pa., N.J. meet impending staffing requirements, analysis finds
Nursing homes will be subjected to stricter staffing guidelines beginning in 2026. A new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis shows that few U.S. facilities – including those in Pennsylvania and New Jersey – currently meet them.May 21, 2024
Children's Health
Drinking fluoridated water during pregnancy may harm fetal brain development, study finds
Fluoride commonly has been added to U.S. drinking water since the 1940s to prevent tooth decay. But a new study suggests drinking fluorinated water during pregnancy may harm the baby's brain development. Greater exposure to fluoride as an unborn baby was linked to a greater likelihood of having neurobehavioral issues at age 3.May 16, 2024
Investigations
Fentanyl drug packaging operation busted in Kensington
Investigators seized 1,100 bags of fentanyl and two firearms from a property in Kensington during a drug bust of a fentanyl distribution operation. Jada Williams, 21, the alleged leader of the scheme, was arrested. Philadelphia officials said the bust is part of a larger crackdown on the open-air drug market in Kensington.May 15, 2024
Addiction
Fatal overdoses fell slightly in the U.S. last year, but fentanyl still poses a big threat
Drug overdose deaths fell by 3% in 2023, the first decline since 2018, according to estimates from the CDC. But seizures of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far stronger than heroin, have skyrocketed in the last two years, the DEA says.May 15, 2024
Illness
Where is Lyme disease most prevalent in Pennsylvania? A new online tool tracks tick-borne illnesses
Pennsylvania has debuted a new online tool that tracks tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme diseases. The 'dashboard' lets people check areas for the latest data on tick prevalence and tick-borne diseases when planning outdoor activities.May 15, 2024
Adult Health
Why it's important to pay attention to expiration dates on medications
Prescription and over-the-counter medications begin to lose their potency – and their effectiveness – after their expiration dates. Because of this, a local pharmacist says people should avoid taking outdated drugs, especially if they have chronic conditions.Just In
- Phillies RP Brad Keller will miss the rest of the season with torn UCL
- Phillies announce 2027 schedule
- Strathmere, one of South Jersey's only free beaches, could soon require tags
- Wildfire smoke could stick around through Saturday, National Weather Service says
- NFL assistant coach, a former GOP mayor in South Jersey, linked to Freedom Fuel Network gas stations
- Philly DA Larry Krasner subpoenaed by House Judiciary Committee over request for immigration records
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