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.
April 1, 2025
Adult Health
Intermittent fasting three days a week outperforms traditional dieting in weight-loss study
A new study shows that people who did intermittent fasting during three nonconsecutive days a week lost more weight than people who cut calories every day.April 1, 2025
Health News
More than 50 local researchers sign letter protesting Trump administration for 'gutting' science
Nora Newcombe, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Temple University, is one of more than 50 local researchers who signed an open letter published Monday protesting the Trump administration's 'gutting' of science.March 27, 2025
Addiction
Targeted ads make compulsive buying easy. Here's how to spend mindfully
The 'No Buy 2025' social media campaign encourages people to eliminate unnecessary spending throughout the year, buying only what is necessary and avoiding splurging on the non-essential. Here are some tips to limit impulsive purchases and combat shopping addiction.March 27, 2025
Senior Health
A subtle loss of smell may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease
People with mild cognitive impairments scored worse on simple tests than people with normal cognitive function. These tests may be a tool to flag Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia early, when interventions are most beneficial, researchers say.March 26, 2025
Adult Health
Temple Health's new cancer clinic streamlines treatment for people from underserved communities
Temple University Hospital's new cancer clinic, dubbed MVP-CAN, expedites cancer care for patients from underserved communities, who might not otherwise receive treatment. The wrap-around clinic has a 'patient navigator' who helps arrange rides, schedule appointments and handle insurance issues.March 26, 2025
Health Stories
Fasting during Ramadan was harder this year for this Philly woman – but that's a byproduct of her weight-loss success
Sinchelle Gamble, of West Philadelphia, found fasting during Ramadan more difficult after undergoing bariatric surgery, but Jefferson Health helped her observe the Islamic holy month while maintaining her post-surgery diet. She has lost 150 pounds since spring 2024 and plans to lose another 60 pounds.March 20, 2025
Senior Health
For people with dementia, dancing is a way to boost their well-being
Dancing improves the physical and emotional well-being of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, a recent study shows. Previous research supports these findings. Dance involves physical coordination, as well as recall and spatial recognition. Music helps people reconnect to their past.March 20, 2025
Children's Health
Arsenic, lead among contaminants found in many baby formulas, Consumer Reports finds
About half of the baby formulas Consumer Reports recently tested had harmful levels of at least one contaminant, including arsenic, lead and 'forever chemicals.'But BPA levels were low, and there are still many safe infant formulas on the market. Manufacturers contested some of the findings.March 20, 2025
Addiction
Delco's new overdose response team seeks to connect drug users to treatment
Delaware County has received a $560,000 grant to create an overdose response team that steers drug users to treatment at Main Line Health's Mirmont Treatment Center facilities. The teams include a paramedic and certified recovery specialist that respond to 911 calls for overdoses.March 19, 2025
Wellness
Does 'sleepmaxxing' really improve sleep and well-being? It's complicated
'Sleepmaxxing' combines a series of hacks to improve sleep and overall well-being. Some of the methods, like keeping the bedroom cool and turning off smartphones, are proven methods to get more rest. But other techniques being touted on social media have little basis in science, health experts say.Just In
- Philly college hoops round up: Villanova men faltering as March arrives
- Philly students are guaranteed water and bathroom breaks under district's new wellness policy
- Benito, a raccoon rescued by South Philly neighbors during cold spell, is on the mend at a busy wildlife center
- For botanical artist Tu Bloom, 'mistakes make perfection' in floral arrangements
- Becoming an expert birdwatcher may help protect the brain from aging
- Report: Eagles asking price for A.J. Brown is 'too high'
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