John Kopp

John Kopp

John Kopp is the Chief Health Reporter/Assistant Editor at PhillyVoice. He joined the newsroom after spending five years reporting for the Delaware County Daily Times. He spent the prior year covering state and local politics, including a $4 million Pennsylvania state Senate race. He previously covered Chester city government, the Chester Upland School District and high-school sports. A Temple University graduate, John enjoys long-distance running, watching baseball and exploring new places.

john@phillyvoice.com

November 2, 2021

Mental Health

Lane Johnson shines a spotlight on anxiety disorders and the drugs used to treat them

Eagles star Lane Johnson experienced withdrawal symptoms after he stopped taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, an anti-depressant he used to treat his anxiety and depression symptoms. SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa are commonly prescribed because they typically relieve symptoms without many side effects. But it can take time for them to work, and patients must sometimes try multiple medications before finding the most effective drug.

September 10, 2021

Adult Health

Where were you on 9/11? Why our 'flashbulb' memories aren't as accurate as we believe

People are confident in their recollections of where they were when the 9/11 attacks occurred, as well as other historic events, but often those flashbulb memories contain inaccuracies, research shows. False memories inadvertently slip into these accounts of historic events due to errors made by our brains.

July 14, 2021

Healthy Eating

Millennials are turning to non-alcoholic beer, but nutritionists stress it's not a health drink

Non-alcoholic beers have been touted as a healthier alternative for people who enjoy the taste of beer but want to reduce their alcohol consumption. Nutritionists caution that NA beer is not a health drink. They say its nutritional benefits are overstated, including its polyphenol content and potential as a post-workout drink.

July 4, 2021

Holiday

Philly hosted the first Fourth of July celebration — with fireworks, of course

The first July 4 celebration took place in Philadelphia on Independence Day in 1777. The festivities included a 13-gun salute from ships on the Delaware River, a Congressional dinner and plenty of fireworks. The first fireworks were crude, with elaborate aerial displays becoming more common in the 19th Century.

July 4, 2021

Travel

Ocean City voted New Jersey's favorite beach — again

Ocean City was named New Jersey's favorite beach by voters who participated in an annual poll by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. The next best best? Sea Isle City.

July 4, 2021

Protests

Patriot Front — the hate group that marched through Philly — has defaced several George Floyd memorials

Patriot Front, a white supremacist group that evolved from Vanguard America following the 2017 "United the Right" rally in Charlottesville, has increased its activity in Philadelphia over the last month. The racist group marched through Center City on July 3, 2021, carrying flags and fighting with bystanders. That came a month after its members defaced a George Floyd mural in Olney.

July 1, 2021

Arts & Culture

Rare signers' copy of Declaration of Independence fetches $4.42 million at auction

An 1823 printing of the Declaration of Independence sold for $4.42 million at Freeman's Auction in Philadelphia. The print is one of 201 copies produced by engraver William J. Stone and was presented to Charles Carroll, the last surviving member of the original document. The estimated value of the document prior to the auction was $500,000 to $800,000.

June 20, 2021

Parenting

Einstein's DadLab helps new fathers navigate the transition to parenthood

DadLab, a support group run by Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, provides a safe space for new dads to discuss the challenges they face as first-time parents. The group meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. and is open to any fathers-to-be, new fathers and their partners.

May 24, 2021

Mental Health

CHOP to provide mental health services to Girard College students

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will provide telehealth services for Girard College as part of an effort to improve access to mental health services for students with undiagnosed anxiety, depression and other conditions. The effort is being funded by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.

May 14, 2021

Health Stories

Temple patient 'counting his blessings' after near-fatal COVID-19 battle ends with lung transplant

Thomas Williams is one of several COVID-19 patients who have received organ transplants at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. The South Jersey resident received a new lung four days after being placed on the lung transplant list – an unusually quick turnaround partially prompted by his severe condition.

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