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 17, 2025
Children's Health
Why are autism rates rising? The CDC released its conclusions – and RFK Jr. immediately disputed them
New CDC data shows rising autism rates are the result of better screening and diagnosis. But HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disputed these conclusions, instead attributing the increase to an 'environmental toxin.' Experts said his claims are not based in science.April 17, 2025
Senior Health
To support people with dementia, IBX teams up with brain health clinic
Independence Blue Cross is offering its Medicare Advantage members with dementia access to Isaac Health a virtual clinic that provides brain health and dementia care services.April 16, 2025
Adult Health
Technology use may help ward off cognitive decline — not expedite it
Technology use helps protect against cognitive decline and dementia, a new study finds. The research suggests fears that excessive screen time and smartphone use leads to cognitive decline are overstated.April 16, 2025
Men's Health
Prostate cancer therapy being tested at Main Line Health may 'open up the door' to new treatments for advanced cancers
Main Line Health's Lankenau Institute of Medical Research is hosting a clinical trial that will test the effectiveness and safety of a new advanced prostate cancer drug. Researchers say the combination therapy could open the door for new approaching to treating advanced cancers.April 15, 2025
Health News
CT scans cause more cancer cases than previously believed, study shows
Radiation from CT scans conducted in 2023 is projected to account for 5% of annual cancer diagnoses in the United States — a rate far higher than previously believed, a new study finds.April 15, 2025
Illness
Gonorrhea is on the verge of being impossible to treat, but a new antibiotic may alter that course
Rates of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea have been on the rise across the globe. Reliable treatment for the sexually transmitted infection is down to one medication. This makes a new study showing a new antibiotic to be effective against gonorrhea particularly significant.April 9, 2025
Mental Health
Stressed by the stock market volatility? Here are tips for managing anxiety during economic uncertainty
Americans are feeling stressed by President Donald Trump's tariffs, stock market volatility and federal job losses. Here are some tips for managing anxiety over the economy.April 9, 2025
Illness
RFK Jr. tells Americans to get measles vaccine after being criticized for months for mixed messaging
Americans are encouraged to get the measles vaccine, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told CBS on Tuesday as measles cases continued to mount in the U.S. The Health and Human Services secretary had been facing criticism for sending mixed messaging amid an outbreak in Texas that has killed two children.April 8, 2025
Government
Getting my REAL ID was a real ordeal
I put off getting my REAL ID until the last minute. I heard stories of people having to go to PennDOT driver license centers multiple times because they didn't have the right documents. The REAL ID deadline is May 7.April 3, 2025
Mental Health
Laughing gas appears to reduce depression, but researchers don't totally understand why
Nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, may offer a new way to treat people with major depression, if they haven't responded well to psychotherapy or antidepressants, a new Penn study shows. Researchers found it seems to stimulate certain neurons and activate brain circuits related to emotion and behavior.Just In
- Philly school district will not cut 340 jobs after city leaders commit to finding funding
- Visiting Philly? Instead of trying to eat at a Michelin restaurant, get a reservation here
- Let these rom-coms, now streaming, inspire your summer fling
- With the World Cup set to kick off, SEPTA touts refurbished stations and additional train capacity
- Once envious of the new offense the Eagles will run, Lane Johnson won't have to be anymore
- Eagles sign A.J. Epenesa for defensive end depth
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