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 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 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 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
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
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
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.May 14, 2024
Adult Health
Wegovy helps people sustain weight-loss successes for up to 4 years, study finds
Wegovy, the obesity drug from Novo Nordisk, can help people sustain their weight-loss triumphs for several years and also may provide cardiovascular benefits, according to two new analyses of data from a long-term trial.May 10, 2024
Health News
Toy painting rollers recalled due to high lead levels
Dixon Ticonderoga has recalled its street foam pattern rollers because the toys' handles exceed federal limits on lead. Pennsylvania health officials advise parents to remove the painting rollers from children and contact their children's health care providers about getting a blood lead test for lead exposure.May 9, 2024
Health News
RFK Jr. says a worm ate his brain. A local doctor explains how that can happen
An infectious disease specialist at Main Line Health says different parasites can live in your body, but it's usually not troublesome when they do. The doctor helped to explain parasite infections after it came to light that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in 2012 that a worm was found in his brain.May 9, 2024
Illness
Certain genes may cause Alzheimer's, a new study finds. Here's why you shouldn't rush to get tested
A new study suggests that certain genes actually cause at least one type of Alzheimer's disease. But the Alzheimer's Association recommends people receive genetic counseling and obtain all necessary information before they consider genetic testing.
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Just In
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- Rodin Museum reopens garden bar Friday
- Drinking fluoridated water during pregnancy may harm fetal brain development, study finds
- The Kimmel Center plans to replace Volvér with a new restaurant this fall
- Shane Gillis to throw out first pitch at Phillies game on Wednesday
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