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 24, 2024
Health News
Philadelphia's ozone pollution is the worst in the Mid-Atlantic region
The Philadelphia metro region received a failing grade for ozone pollution in the American Lung Association's 2024 State of the Air report despite a slight improvement. The region's air quality also improved in regard to short-term particle pollution, rising from a D grade to a C.April 23, 2024
Illness
Low-dose aspirin taken long term may help fight colorectal cancer, study says
Taking low-dose aspirin long term may help prevent the development and progression of colorectal cancer, according to new research.April 18, 2024
Illness
32 years ago, Philly began using syringe exchanges to fight AIDS. With funding now in doubt, experts fear an HIV surge
Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell authorized the city's first needle exchange program in 1992 in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDs. New Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker plans to strip funding to syringe exchange programs despite research showing they reduce HIV/AIDs and hepatitis infections among drug users.April 18, 2024
Health News
Jefferson's Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center gains nation's top designation
Jefferson Health's Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center has been designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. The designation, the highest from the NCI, recognizes SKCC's work in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.April 17, 2024
Wellness
A new job benefit aims to help Philly workers improve their well-being
The 26,000 city workers in Philadelphia now have access to On the Goga, a corporate wellness platform that offers workshops on stress reduction, healthy recipes, desk yoga classes, guided meditation and other resources that encourage healthy lifestyles.April 16, 2024
Health Stories
A Temple Hospital worker needed a kidney transplant. When the call finally came, his colleague performed it
Julian Harmon, a perioperative services assistant at Temple University Hospital, received word that he was up for a kidney transplant in January 2023. Within hours, his colleague, Dr. Kenneth Chavin, was performing the surgery. One year later, they are sharing their story in hopes of inspiring more people to become organ donors.April 12, 2024
Illness
CDC investigates botulism-like illnesses linked to possibly fake Botox injections
People in several states have developed Botulism-like illnesses after receiving possibly fake Botox injections outside medical settings, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the matter. Botulism can lead to serious illness and permanent injury as nerves attack the body.April 11, 2024
Caregiving
High caregiving costs have many Americans claiming their parents as dependents on their tax returns
More than half of adults 25 and older are claiming their parents as dependents on their 2023 tax returns, according to a new survey from Caring.com. Out of the survey respondents, 35% said that they were overwhelmed by their parents' medical expenses or debt. Additionally, 35% said they were supporting their parents financially because their parents couldn't afford senior living or care costs.April 10, 2024
Prevention
Social barriers prevent many women from getting regular mammograms
About one-third of women ages 50-74 facing at least three social barriers do not get regular mammograms, a new CDC study finds. Barriers include social isolation, life dissatisfaction, job loss, a lack of health insurance and transportation limitations. Women are recommended to get a mammogram every other year beginning at age 40.April 10, 2024
Women's Health
A new UTI vaccine shows promise in preventing recurrent infections
A new urinary tract infection vaccine may offer an alternative to antibiotic treatment for recurrent UTIs, according to new research. The oral spray kept more than half of the participants in a study infection-free for nine years. The participants had previously suffered from repeated UTIs.Just In
- Instant observations: With Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined, another late-game collapse sinks Sixers in Toronto
- N.J. becomes latest state to ban cellphones in classrooms as Murphy signs bill into law
- N.J. lawmakers fast-track bills limiting cooperation with ICE after Minneapolis shooting
- Open thread replay: 49ers 23, Eagles 19
- Data centers are straining N.J.'s power grid. A bill would make them pay for it.
- At Philly's new 'Disaster University,' first responders get immersive training for mass-casualty events
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