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 7, 2024
Prevention
Staring at a screen for a long time can strain your eyes, but there are ways to protect them
Stare at computers, smartphones and other screen for long periods can leave people with dry, itchy and irritated eyes, health experts say. To prevent eye strain, the American Optometric Association offers several tips. They include the 20-20-20 rule, lighting adjustments, body positioning and annual eye exams.March 7, 2024
Wellness
The switch to daylight saving time is unpopular – and unhealthy, experts say
Most Americans want to get rid of time changes, a recent Monmouth University polls shows. But not only is switching from standard time to daylight saving time every March unpopular, it's also unhealthy. Research has shown it leads to increased behavioral health issues, cardiovascular events and traffic fatalities.March 6, 2024
Addiction
A law-and-order approach to Philly's overdose crisis will have grave effects, harm reduction advocates say
Harm reduction groups working to mitigate the overdose crisis in Philadelphia have come under the scrutiny of a faction of City Council that is pushing for a stronger law-and-order approach in Kensington. Advocates of harm reduction groups, which provide, wound care, clean syringes and other services to drug users, plan to rally Thursday morning at City Hall.March 5, 2024
Adult Health
How often should jeans be washed to keep them germ-free? Less often than you might think
Most people wash their blue jeans after several wears, according to a poll conducted by MarthaStewart.com. But experts jeans only need to be washed after every four to five wears to provide ample protection against bacteria.February 29, 2024
Mental Health
Rapper Ren draws fans with lyrics about mental and physical health struggles
The U.K. musician Ren is beloved for writing songs that detail his health struggles. His hit song, 'Hi Ren,' released one year ago, has become an underground hit among people with mental health conditions and chronic illnesses. His second album, 'Sick Boi,' topped the U.K. charts after it was released in October 2023.February 28, 2024
Adult Health
Daily marijuana use greatly increases risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds
Daily marijuana use is associated with a 42% increased likelihood of stroke and a 25% increased risk of heart attack when compared with people who did not use the drug, a new study published by the American Heart Association found. Even less frequent use of cannabis was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events.February 28, 2024
Addiction
Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl and meth are putting drug users at greater risk of overdose, DEA says
Fake prescription pills are being laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine and sold online and on the streets, putting people at higher risk of fatal drug overdoses, according to DEA officials. Criminal enterprises are using pill presses to make counterfeit versions of oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax that actually contain fentanyl and meth.February 28, 2024
Depression
Pregnant women who receive mental health support are less likely to develop postpartum depression, study shows
Pregnant women who receive mental health support are significantly less likely to develop postpartum depression and anxiety, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health. As part of the study, some pregnant women received a unique intervention taught them how to replace anxious thoughts with more helpful ideas.February 27, 2024
Mental Health
Nonbinary people have higher rates of eating disorders, underscoring need for inclusive treatment environments
LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder than their cisgender counterparts, research shows. And LGBTQ+ youth who have had eating disorders are nearly four times more likely to attempt suicide than those who have never had an eating disorder. Mental health professionals say safe and inclusive treatment environments are key to helping people recover.February 23, 2024
Adult Health
The physical therapist shortage hurts underserved communities and may worsen the addiction crisis
The nationwide shortages of physical therapists is causing longer wait times for appointments and may be depriving people of a non-pharmaceutical way to manage pain – especially critical as the addiction crisis deepens across the United States. A bill reintroduced to Congress aims to attract more people to the field by reimbursing student loans in return for work in approved underserved and/or rural areas.Just In
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