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.
March 19, 2024
Illness
U.S. health officials warn of rising global measles outbreaks, emphasizing the need for vaccination
U.S. health officials have issued an alert about a rise in measles outbreaks around the world and are advising parents and caregivers to vaccinate young children against the disease if traveling to countries where there are outbreaks.March 14, 2024
Mental Health
Among female veterans, suicide rates outpace those of male counterparts and women, overall
The suicide rate among women who served in the military rose by 24.1% between 2020 and 2021, nearly four times higher than the 6.3% increase among male veterans and greater than the 2.6% increase among non-veteran women. Contributing to this are are issues like military sexual trauma, intimate partner violence, substance use disorders, pregnancy and menopause, a study found.March 14, 2024
Prevention
Flossing is a must for overall health – no matter how much people hate it, medical experts say
People may hate flossing their teeth, but it is necessary for oral and overall health.March 13, 2024
Wellness
Insomnia drugs could lead to driving and cooking while sleeping, FDA warns
A phenomenon known as complex sleep behaviors – including driving, cooking and eating while sleeping – can result from taking prescription insomnia medications, the Food and Drug Administration warns.March 13, 2024
Illness
New clinical trials to examine treatments for long COVID symptoms
Fast heart rate, dizziness and fatigue are three common symptoms that can plague individuals who suffer from long COVID. The National Institutes of Health will test three possible treatments for a condition that can cause these symptoms just from standing up.March 7, 2024
Wellness
The switch to daylight saving time is unpopular – and unhealthy, experts say
Most Americans want to get rid of time changes, a recent Monmouth University polls shows. But not only is switching from standard time to daylight saving time every March unpopular, it's also unhealthy. Research has shown it leads to increased behavioral health issues, cardiovascular events and traffic fatalities.March 7, 2024
Prevention
Staring at a screen for a long time can strain your eyes, but there are ways to protect them
Stare at computers, smartphones and other screen for long periods can leave people with dry, itchy and irritated eyes, health experts say. To prevent eye strain, the American Optometric Association offers several tips. They include the 20-20-20 rule, lighting adjustments, body positioning and annual eye exams.March 6, 2024
Addiction
A law-and-order approach to Philly's overdose crisis will have grave effects, harm reduction advocates say
Harm reduction groups working to mitigate the overdose crisis in Philadelphia have come under the scrutiny of a faction of City Council that is pushing for a stronger law-and-order approach in Kensington. Advocates of harm reduction groups, which provide, wound care, clean syringes and other services to drug users, plan to rally Thursday morning at City Hall.March 5, 2024
Adult Health
How often should jeans be washed to keep them germ-free? Less often than you might think
Most people wash their blue jeans after several wears, according to a poll conducted by MarthaStewart.com. But experts jeans only need to be washed after every four to five wears to provide ample protection against bacteria.February 29, 2024
Mental Health
Rapper Ren draws fans with lyrics about mental and physical health struggles
The U.K. musician Ren is beloved for writing songs that detail his health struggles. His hit song, 'Hi Ren,' released one year ago, has become an underground hit among people with mental health conditions and chronic illnesses. His second album, 'Sick Boi,' topped the U.K. charts after it was released in October 2023.Just In
- Emergency crews rescue man trapped under manhole cover in Northeast Philly
- For Tattooed Mom to resume live music performances, L&I says it must obtain permits and a license
- 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
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