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.
August 12, 2025
Health News
Conch shell blowing could provide relief for people with sleep apnea
Conch shell blowing could relieve symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, a new study suggests. Just 15 minutes of the practice five days a week led to fewer breathing episodes during the night, researchers say.August 1, 2025
Healthy Eating
'Fibermaxxing,' one of the latest TikTok wellness trends, offers health benefits
Fibermaxxing is one of the latest TikTok wellness trends. It promotes eating more than the daily recommended amount of fiber. Dietitians generally agree that eating lots of fiber promotes good health.August 1, 2025
Illness
New York is battling a Legionnaires' outbreak; Nearly 50 years ago, the disease was famously identified in Philly
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York has killed 1 person and sickened 22 others. Nearly 50 years ago, the illness was identified in Philly after an outbreak a the American Legion convention at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel.July 31, 2025
Adult Health
Some people avoid roller coasters out of intense fear, but do they pose any actual health risks?
Well-developed roller coasters generally are safe, but they can cause motion sickness and pose a risk to some people with heart conditions. They don't appear to pose an immediate risk to acute brain injury but their long-term effect is not well-studied. And they provoke the body's fight-or-flight response.July 31, 2025
Health News
People breathe in 100 times more microplastics than previously thought, new study finds
People breathe in 100 times more microplastics than previously thought, a new study shows. The tiny particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing health problems such as impaired lung function, inflammation and oxidative stress.July 30, 2025
Illness
To reduce disparities in heart failure, this Trinity Health program aims to meet patients 'where they are'
Heart failure disproportionately affects low-income and minority populations. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic has a new program seeks to help patients overcome the structural barriers that contribute to these disparities.July 29, 2025
Adult Health
The aging process isn't linear, but it accelerates at age 50, new study shows
Aging accelerates at age 50, when tissues and organs begin a rapid deterioration, a new study shows. It builds on previous research that found two distinct inflection points in the aging process — ages 44 and 60.July 28, 2025
Fitness
Why Japanese walking is trending as an alternative to 10,000 daily steps
Japanese walking interval training alternates fast and slow paces for health benefits. Research shows it can boost leg strength 20% and may be better than 10,000 steps.July 24, 2025
Health News
U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low last year, CDC says
The U.S. fertility rate dropped to a record low in 2024, falling to 53.8 births per 1,000 women, new data from the CDC shows. That equates to 1.6 children per woman of childbearing age. Contributing factors include greater access to birth control and delayed parenthood.July 24, 2025
Addiction
Enforcement of law that restricts mobile services in Kensington will be delayed, city officials say
Enforcement of a new law that will restrict mobile addiction services in Kensington will be delayed until Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration determines the new permitting process required for outreach groups. The law takes effect Monday.Just In
- Are the Phillies missing opportunities while waiting for J.T. Realmuto to decide on their offer?
- Two private compost haulers are joining forces. They collected over 5 million pounds of food waste last year
- Atlantic City Expressway to stop accepting cash at tolls on Jan. 4
- 'Stranger Things' mentioned Philly in its series finale. Some fans think it's a spin-off clue
- Joel Embiid probable for Sixers-Knicks on Saturday; ankle sprain no longer listed
- Girard Point Bridge to get $261 million in repairs over the next five years
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