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.
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.March 18, 2025
Health News
Raw cat food boxes sold in Pennsylvania recalled due to possible bird flu contamination
Savage Pet has recalled some of its raw cat food products after two cats reportedly contracted bird flu after eating it. Some of the recalled products were distributed to retailers in Pennsylvania.March 13, 2025
Mental Health
For teens, strong friendships outweigh impact of social media on mental health
Teenagers who had strong, supportive friendships are likely to experience positive mental health, regardless of how much social media they use, a new study shows. They findings are in contrast to studies that suggest social media has a negative impact on children's health.March 12, 2025
Adult Health
Wealth and education may play key roles in determining heart health
Wealth and education levels are significant determinants of cardiovascular disease risk, according to a new study. High-income, college-educated Americans are at much lower risk of developing heart disease than the rest of the population.March 12, 2025
Illness
Measles case reported in Philly; People may have been exposed at CHOP, South Philly health center
A measles case was reported in Philadelphia, health officials said Wednesday. The person caught the virus while traveling internationally. Others may have been exposed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's emergency department or at the South Philadelphia Health and Literacy Center in recent days.March 11, 2025
Prevention
More than 1 in 3 Americans live in homes with guns, which often are stored in unlocked places
More than one-third of U.S. households with firearms do not have them safely locked away, according to a survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Secure gun storage reduces inadvertent use, child access and theft.March 11, 2025
Wellness
Mushroom coffee has all the zing with less caffeine, fans say. But its health benefits may be overstated
Mushroom coffee is increasingly popular. Advocates and manufacturers say it offers the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms and the energizing effects of coffee with less caffeine. But little research has been done to verify those claims.Just In
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