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.
January 7, 2025
Health News
Medical debt to be removed from credit reports of 15 million Americans
Medical debt will no longer appear on credit reports under a federal rule finalized by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. That means $49 billion in medical debt will be eliminated from credit reports, making it easier for 15 million Americans to get car, home and small business loans.January 2, 2025
Children's Health
New nasal swab test holds promise for asthma treatment
A new nasal swab test may allow doctors to diagnose asthma subtypes in children without using an invasive procedure requiring general anesthesia. The test, developed by University of Pittsburgh scientists, may allow more people to fine-tune their asthma treatments, researchers say.January 2, 2025
Healthy Eating
Looking to lose weight or eat healthier in 2025? Try one of these diet plans
Fad diets rarely lead to long-term weight loss. The top diets in 2025 focus on promoting healthier eating habits and lifestyle changes. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is still the gold standard, dietitians say.December 31, 2024
Addiction
Women are more likely to binge drink when their estrogen levels are high, study finds
A new, preclinical study links estrogen to binge drinking in women. When offered alcohol, female mice drank it more quickly if their estrogen levels were high, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found. The findings may impact treatment for alcohol use disorder, but more research is needed.December 31, 2024
Health News
Families with children are experiencing homelessness in record numbers, HUD report shows
Homelessness rose to record levels between 2023 and 2024 – and the true number of people who are homeless may be higher than a single annual count can capture, a new HUD report says. The number of families with children experiencing homelessness rose by nearly 40%. Philly's next homeless count is Jan. 22.December 27, 2024
Adult Health
Anti-hangover drinks claim to dull the effects of a night out, but there's little evidence they actually work
Drinks that promise to prevent or cure hangovers have proliferated in recent years, but there's little research to suggest these products actually work, says Dr. Caroline McWilliams, medical director of Recovery Centers of America at Devon. She says these products, which don't require FDA approval, may 'do more hard than good'December 25, 2024
Mental Health
A cluttered house increases stress levels; here's how to get your home in order after the holidays
Clutter, which tends to accumulate at the holidays, particularly in the form of gifts, has been linked to increased stress and can impede the brain's ability to focus, among other adverse effects. Decluttering one's home not only streamlines day-to-day life, but also helps people maintain good mental health.December 24, 2024
Healthy Eating
FDA upgrades its definition of 'healthy' food for first time in 3 decades
The Food and Drug Administration has revised its definition of what foods can be labeled as 'healthy' by manufacturers. The changes – the first in 30 years – require foods contain certain amounts of food from essential food groups like fruits, vegetables and whole grains while also limiting saturated fats, added sugars and sodium.December 24, 2024
Wellness
Long, hot showers can damage your skin; here's how to keep it healthy
Cold weather makes it tempting to take long, hot showers, but doing so can damage the skin's protective barrier and make hair brittle, experts say. To avoid dryness, take shorter, lukewarm baths and showers. Moisturize skin immediately after bathing, and use fragrance-free cleansers, dermatologists say.December 23, 2024
Mental Health
Holiday gatherings can be stressful; here are 5 easy hacks to stay calm
Here are five easy exercises to reduce anxiety and calm yourself at the holidays. They include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mantras, simple stretches and a countdown exercise.Just In
- N.J. Turnpike Authority testing a sticker alternative to E-ZPass transponders
- SEPTA gets $5.5 million in federal funding to enhance World Cup service
- Metropolitan Bakery to close Rittenhouse location this month after over 32 years in business
- E-bike injuries have surged, prompting a need for greater safety regulations, researchers say
- VJ Edgecombe out for Sixers-Jazz Wednesday, to be reevaluated before Saturday's game
- Philly college hoops round up: Villanova men faltering as March arrives
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