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.
April 26, 2024
Adult Health
AFib may be far more common in middle-age adults than once thought
Atrial fibrillation traditionally has been viewed as a problem mostly affecting older adults. But new research from UPMC suggests that it is becoming more common among adults age 55 and under. AFib can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other serious conditions.April 25, 2024
Illness
The human brain is getting larger, and that may be good for your dementia risk
The human brain has been gradually increasing in size. A new study from UC Davis Health found that people born in the 1970s had brain volumes that were 6.6% larger than people who were born in the 1930s. Their brains' surface areas were about 15% greater, too. These increases may reducing the risk in Alzheimer's and other dementias.April 25, 2024
Healthy Eating
It's possible to consume too much caffeine – but it takes a lot of coffee
Caffeine is commonly found in coffee, soda and certain teas. It's possible to drink too much, too. The FDA recommends people limit their caffeine consumption to 400 mg per day. That's about 4-5 cups of coffee. Too much caffeine can cause insomnia, jitters, anxiety and a fast heart rate, among other health issues.April 24, 2024
Senior Health
FDA approval of Wegovy could give millions on Medicare access to weight-loss drug
The Food and Drug Administration's approval the use of Wegovy for reducing risk of heart attack and stroke could allow approximately 3.6 million Medicare recipients to gain access to the popular weight-loss drug, according to a new analysis.April 24, 2024
Health News
Philadelphia's ozone pollution is the worst in the Mid-Atlantic region
The Philadelphia metro region received a failing grade for ozone pollution in the American Lung Association's 2024 State of the Air report despite a slight improvement. The region's air quality also improved in regard to short-term particle pollution, rising from a D grade to a C.April 23, 2024
Illness
Low-dose aspirin taken long term may help fight colorectal cancer, study says
Taking low-dose aspirin long term may help prevent the development and progression of colorectal cancer, according to new research.April 18, 2024
Health News
Jefferson's Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center gains nation's top designation
Jefferson Health's Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center has been designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. The designation, the highest from the NCI, recognizes SKCC's work in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.April 18, 2024
Illness
32 years ago, Philly began using syringe exchanges to fight AIDS. With funding now in doubt, experts fear an HIV surge
Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell authorized the city's first needle exchange program in 1992 in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDs. New Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker plans to strip funding to syringe exchange programs despite research showing they reduce HIV/AIDs and hepatitis infections among drug users.April 17, 2024
Wellness
A new job benefit aims to help Philly workers improve their well-being
The 26,000 city workers in Philadelphia now have access to On the Goga, a corporate wellness platform that offers workshops on stress reduction, healthy recipes, desk yoga classes, guided meditation and other resources that encourage healthy lifestyles.April 16, 2024
Health Stories
A Temple Hospital worker needed a kidney transplant. When the call finally came, his colleague performed it
Julian Harmon, a perioperative services assistant at Temple University Hospital, received word that he was up for a kidney transplant in January 2023. Within hours, his colleague, Dr. Kenneth Chavin, was performing the surgery. One year later, they are sharing their story in hopes of inspiring more people to become organ donors.Just In
- Starting this weekend, $5 shuttle bus rides to the shore are available
- FDA approves pill that lowers cholesterol as effectively as more expensive, injectable forms
- 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
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