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.
November 20, 2025
Health Stories
Singing the national anthem before sporting events has helped this South Jersey woman cope with OCD
Ryan Brown, 19, of Marlton, New Jersey, says singing in front of crowds helps her cope with her OCD and anxiety. She has performed the national anthem before numerous sporting events and hopes to one day bring music into the classroom as an elementary school teacher.November 19, 2025
Addiction
Even smoking a few cigarettes a day drastically increases risk of heart disease
Smokers who cut way back on cigarettes without quitting still face a significant risk of heart disease and death, a new study finds. The research also found that it takes years longer than previously thought for former smokers to reach health markers of non-smokers.November 18, 2025
Adult Health
New insights on weight-loss drug Mounjaro may lead to better treatments for impulsive eating
Tirzepatide, branded as Mounjaro and Zepbound, may temporarily reduce cravings that can lead to binge eating, a study by University of Pennsylvania scientists suggests. The insights may lead to better treatments for impulsive eating, researchers say.November 18, 2025
Addiction
Support groups for alcohol use disorder are more effective when they are attended in person
People who attend in-person support groups for alcohol use disorder have better recovery outcomes than people who only attend virtually, new research shows.November 13, 2025
Health Stories
Nurse who beat hard-to-treat cancer says she stayed strong by thinking of herself as a 'survivor'
Zipporah Washington was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving a heart tumor earlier this year. On Thursday, she reunited with the Temple Health team that helped her beat the aggressive cancer.November 12, 2025
Fitness
Lifting weights may be better than running for weight loss and diabetes management, study finds
Weightlifting is more effective than running for burning fat and reducing insulin resistance — critical components in combating diabetes and obesity, a new study finds. But researchers say people need to do both strength-training and cardio workouts to get the most health benefits.November 12, 2025
Mental Health
1 in 8 young Americans use ChatGPT or other AI bots for mental health issues
1 in 8 young Americans are using AI chatbots for mental health advice, a new study finds. The low-cost, immediacy and perceived-privacy of AI likely account for their use, researchers said.November 11, 2025
Children's Health
ByHeart expands baby formula recall amid botulism outbreak that has sickened 15 infants
ByHeart has expanded its voluntary baby formula recall to include all of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and Anywhere Packs. It comes amid an infant botulism outbreak that has hospitalized 15 babies in 12 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.November 11, 2025
Prevention
Possible measles exposure took place at Philadelphia International Airport, health officials warn
A possible measles exposure at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday may have impacted travelers who were in terminals A and B between 8:50 am. and 4 p.m. Health officials urge unvaccinated people to get immunized and quarantine for three weeks.November 6, 2025
Health Stories
Raynaud's syndrome can be painful and annoying, but it's usually not dangerous
Raynaud's syndrome causes the capillaries in the extremities to constrict during exposure to cold or other triggers, such as stress. Raynaud's attacks can be painful, but the condition usually is not dangerous. Scientists are not sure what causes it.Just In
- Joel Embiid out for Sixers-Celtics on Sunday and at least two more games with right oblique strain
- Joel Embiid misses Sixers practice after reporting ‘increased soreness’ in right side
- Picky eating starts in the womb – here's how to expand your child's palate
- Free Library picks 'Our Missing Hearts' for this year's One Book, One Philadelphia reading program
- Voters to weigh in on longstanding rule requiring Philly elected officials to resign before running for a new office
- SEPTA awards contract for residential development at Ambler Station
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