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

July 16, 2026

Prevention

FDA approves pill that lowers cholesterol as effectively as more expensive, injectable forms

by Courtenay Harris Bond

Lipfendraw, a newly-approved pill that lowers cholesterol, is as effective and less expensive than similar, injectable drugs. Lower LDL cholesterol levels reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

July 16, 2026

Children's Health

Nearly all teens want to learn how to drive. But barriers prevent many from doing so, CHOP study finds

by Courtenay Harris Bond

A gap exists between the number of teens who want to learn to drive and the number who actually secure a driver's license, CHOP researchers found. The gap is especially prevalent among older teens in lower-opportunity neighborhoods.

July 16, 2026

Social Media

Philly videographer goes viral by asking people to pick up an analog phone and share what's on their minds

by Courtenay Harris Bond

Dan Horan, a videographer, has gone viral for going to different Philly neighborhoods and setting up a 'social experiment' in which he places an analog phone on a table in front of a sign that asks, 'What's on your mind?'

July 15, 2026

Prevention

Antidepressants can make people more susceptible to heat-related illnesses

by Courtenay Harris Bond

Antidepressants can make people more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. When it's hot, people taking certain medications should avoid outdoor activity, stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, health experts say.

July 15, 2026

Health News

President Trump wants to set clocks to daylight saving time year round. But standard time may be the better choice

by Courtenay Harris Bond

Legislation to make daylight savings time permanent year round has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. President Donald Trump backs it, but health experts warn that daylight saving time does not align well with the body's circadian rhythms and is linked to adverse public safety and health effects.

July 14, 2026

Health News

Rate of firearm suicides in the U.S. was one death every 19 minutes in 2024, new analysis shows

by Courtenay Harris Bond

While deaths involving guns decreased from 2023 to 2024 due to a drop in homicides, suicides involving firearms reached a record high, a new report says.

July 10, 2026

Prevention

E-bikes are causing more brain injuries. Wearing the right helmet can make a big difference, Jefferson specialist says

by Courtenay Harris Bond

It's important to wear the right helmet to help prevent brain injuries while riding an e-bike. E-bike helmets have a special designation and provide more padding than standard bike helmets. Here's how to choose one.

July 9, 2026

Men's Health

For many cancers, men are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages than women

by Courtenay Harris Bond

Men are more likely than women to receive late-stage cancer diagnoses, a new study says. Part of the reason may be that women are more likely than men to go to the doctor, increasing their chances of cancer being caught early.

July 9, 2026

Healthy Eating

Sugar substitutes are low in calories, but may disrupt your metabolism, study says

by Courtenay Harris Bond

Artificial sweeteners may the increase risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, a new study says. Because they pass through the gut, they also may alter the gut microbiome and metabolism.

July 8, 2026

Prevention