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.
January 15, 2026
Health News
Philly conducts a homeless count each year. Here's why it's held in January, despite some drawbacks
Philadelphia's point-in-time count is held each January, because it offers a fairly precise look at the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city. But it underestimates the number because it does not take into account people who are living in vacant apartments, abandoned buildings and cars, among other factors.January 14, 2026
Depression
Sleeping in on weekends may benefit teenagers' mental health
Teenagers who uses the weekends to catch up on sleep deficits have a lower risk of developing depression, new research shows.January 14, 2026
Health News
New autistic Barbie may help some children feel more included and valued, experts say
Mattel unveiled its new autistic Barbie doll earlier this week. Reaction from advocates and consumers has been mixed, with some praising it as a step toward inclusion and others scrutinizing its accessories.January 14, 2026
Mental Health
Frequent online shopping is tied to higher stress levels, study shows
People who spend more time online shopping and scrolling social media have higher stress levels than those who spend more time reading news online and checking emails, new research shows.January 13, 2026
Illness
7 in 10 people diagnosed with cancer now live longer than 5 years
Seventy percent of people diagnosed with cancer now live at least another five years, up from about 50% in the 1970s and just over 60% in the mid-1990s, findings published Tuesday by the American Cancer Society show.January 9, 2026
Health Stories
Montgomery County man survives rare, flesh-eating bacterial infection that caused sepsis, kidney failure
Peter Atkinson, of North Wales, survived necrotizing fasciitis, a rare, flesh-eating bacterial infection that he believes he got when he cut himself while towing a vehicle. He is still recovering from the illness, which led to sepsis and stopped his kidneys.January 9, 2026
Health News
At Philly's new 'Disaster University,' first responders get immersive training for mass-casualty events
Philadelphia's new Disaster University puts first responders through simulations on active shooter situations, biological weapons attacks and other mass-casualty events. The training is part of the city's preparations to host the FIFA World Cup and celebrations for America's 250th birthday in 2026.January 7, 2026
Illness
Century-old tumor samples may help explain rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults
Thousands of bowel tumor samples stored in a London hospital may help scientists determine why colorectal cancer rates have been rising among younger adults. Researchers plan to conduct a DNA analysis on the specimens, which are up to 100 years old.January 7, 2026
Healthy Eating
New dietary guidelines call for eating more meat and full-fat dairy, but less sugary foods
The 2025-2030 dietary guidelines advise Americans to prioritize protein at every meal and to consume more full-fat dairy products. They also recommend against consuming highly-processed and sugary foods, but no longer provide specific guidelines for alcohol consumption.January 6, 2026
Health News
The Philly region's blood supply dropped sharply at the holidays; here's how to donate
New Jersey has declared blood shortage emergency, and the Red Cross says Southeastern Pennsylvania is on the 'cusp' of one. Inclement weather, the holidays and a severe flu season have led to a drop in blood donations. Here's how to donate.
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