Courtenay Harris Bond

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.

courtenay@phillyvoice.com

December 10, 2025

Healthy Eating

Energy drinks offer a jolt, but indulging in them can lead to adverse health effects

Energy drinks may offer a fast jolt, but regularly indulging in them can put people at risk of stroke, a new case report shows. Other health risks include anxiety, depression, mood swings and high blood pressure.

December 9, 2025

Mental Health

Children's mental health improved after schools reopening during the pandemic

Student mental health greatly improved after schools reopened during COVID-19 pandemic, new research shows. Girls in particular benefitted by returning to the classroom. The likelihood of a children being diagnosed with depression, anxiety and ADHD all fell sharply after they returned.

December 9, 2025

Children's Health

Vitamin K shots prevent newborns from severe bleeds, but parents are increasingly declining them

Fewer babies are receiving vitamin K shots at birth, because their parents are declining them, a new CHOP study finds. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting, and babies who are deficient are at higher risk of severe bleeds.

December 5, 2025

Addiction

A severe vomiting condition, dubbed 'scromiting,' is rising among chronic weed users

A severe condition dubbed 'scromiting' is rising among chronic marijuana users. The condition is called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS, and causes cycles of painful, prolonged vomiting.

December 4, 2025

Children's Health

Pediatric cancer treatments are saving kids' lives, but more research funding is needed to improve them, report says

CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge cancer treatment, saved the life of South Jersey's Lianna Munir. But more research into advanced technologies is needed to improve the survival rates of pediatric cancers, a new report says.

December 4, 2025

Prevention

New cervical cancer screening guidelines endorse the use of self-swab kits

The American Cancer Society endorsed the use of self-swab HPV kits in its new guidelines for cervical cancer screenings. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer.

December 3, 2025

Prevention

Shingles vaccine may offer an additional benefit — slowing the progress of dementia

The Shingles vaccine may slow down its progression of dementia, new research shows. The study builds on earlier research that found that the shot also may prevent the development of dementia.

December 2, 2025

Depression

After a lifetime of seasonal depression, I finally tried light therapy. Here's what I learned

Seasonal affective disorder is form of major depression that causes an array of symptoms, including fatigue, mood instability, weight gain and sleep issues. Light therapy, among other treatments, may help mitigate the symptoms.

November 28, 2025

Fitness

Choosing a running shoe that fits well and meets your needs can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips

Need a new pair of running shoes? Trying several pairs on at a store is the best method for finding a shoe that properly fits and meets your needs. But there are several guidelines that can help people buying them online.

November 26, 2025

Women's Health

More women are using weight-loss drugs after giving birth, study says

More women are using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to lose baby weight, a new study suggests. Health experts warn that not enough data exists about how these medications affect nursing and the body's postpartum process.

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