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 3, 2025
Health News
As much as 26% of medical imaging is unnecessary — and contributing to climate change, study finds
The carbon dioxide emissions caused by excessive MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds and X-rays are enough to power a town of 70,000 people for one year, a new study finds. Researchers found 4% to 26% of medical imaging to be unnecessary.April 3, 2025
Fitness
Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., is a rising source of injury
Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport. But pickleball injuries are estimated to cost Americans about $400 million a year, according to a 2023 analysis. People don't think of pickleball as a vigorous sport and don't condition enough, a local surgeon said.April 2, 2025
Senior Health
Shingles vaccine may lower dementia risk by 20% in older adults, study shows
The shingles vaccine reduced the risk of dementia by 20% among older adults, new research shows. Cases of dementia and Alzheimer's disease – the most common form of dementia – are skyrocketing around the world. Finding an intervention could be a difference maker, researchers say.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
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 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 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.Just In
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