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.
June 24, 2026
Health Stories
Having survived colorectal cancer, this Philly woman is now speaking out against cancer disparities
Janaylon Wright's experience with early-onset colorectal cancer has inspired her to speak out about cancer disparities. Cancer death rates are still higher for Black people and some other racial and ethnic groups in the United States.June 23, 2026
Health News
Blocked CDC study on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness gets published
JAMA Open Network has published the study on COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness that the CDC blocked from being run in its Mortality and Morbidity Report. It shows the shot drastically reduced COVID-related hospitalizations and ER visits last winter.June 18, 2026
Women's Health
Women are exposed to dozens of dangerous chemicals during pregnancy, increasing risk of pre-term birth
Pregnant women's exposure to dozens of chemicals commonly found in the environment, food and household products increases risk of premature birth and lower birth weight, new study says.June 18, 2026
Illness
Measles detected in two wastewater samples in Delaware County
Measles was detected in a pair of wastewater samples in Delaware County, officials said. There are no confirmed cases of measles in the area. It is unclear whether the test results are due to an ill resident or someone passing through the region.June 18, 2026
Adult Health
This program lifts hospital patients' spirts by having musicians like Low Cut Connie's Adam Weiner sing to them
Musicians On Call brings live music to the bedside of patients at hospitals throughout the United States. Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital joined the list Thursday, with Low Cut Connie frontman Adam Weiner singing to patients.June 17, 2026
Children's Health
More teens are getting hospitalized for trying to get high on Benadryl, poison control warns
Hospitalizations for Benadryl poisoning among teenagers has risen sharply in recent years due to teens trying to get high, America's Poison Control Centers warns. The surge may partly be attributed to the return of the Benadryl Challenge, which encourages people to ingest high doses of the drug.June 17, 2026
Illness
FDA gives second company approval to use maggot therapy for wound care
The FDA has given a second company approval to use maggots for wound care. Fly larvae bred in sterile environments are sometimes used to eat away dead and infected tissue without hurting healthy skin.June 16, 2026
Illness
American doctor returns to U.S. after being declared Ebola free, Jenkintown-based missionary group says
Dr. Peter Stafford and his family have returned to the United States after Stafford recovered from Ebola at a German hospital. Stafford tested positive for Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Serge, a Christian missionary organization based in Jenkintown.June 16, 2026
Health News
Main Line Health to add new 5-story tower to Paoli Hospital
Main Line health plans to add a five-story tower to Paoli Hospital in Chester County. The $220 to $240 million project is part of the health system's effort to extend its reach in the greater Philadelphia region.June 11, 2026
Adult Health
Lymphatic drainage is having a moment, though research shows its benefits may be limited
Lymphatic massage techniques aim to drain lymph fluids, with influencers claiming they help brighten skin, boost immunity and stimulate weight loss. But experts say healthy people are unlikely to see significant health benefits.Just In
- Sixers waive Dalen Terry
- Sixers and Jaylen Brown eligible to negotiate one-year contract extension
- Most Americans prefer to die at home, but the U.S. healthcare system often prevents it
- 'Odyssey' movie boosts sales of Penn professor's translation of Homer's epic
- Documentary to explore life of former Philly radio host whose mother fatally shot her father
- Chester County man convicted of trafficking minors whom he forced to work on a mushroom farm
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