John Kopp
John Kopp is the Chief Health Reporter/Assistant Editor at PhillyVoice. He joined the newsroom after spending five years reporting for the Delaware County Daily Times. He spent the prior year covering state and local politics, including a $4 million Pennsylvania state Senate race. He previously covered Chester city government, the Chester Upland School District and high-school sports. A Temple University graduate, John enjoys long-distance running, watching baseball and exploring new places.
January 31, 2020
Prevention
The coronavirus outbreak has people rushing to buy face masks – but do they work?
Most surgical masks provide little protection against coronavirus, doctors say. The outbreak of the deadly novel disease has prompted surging demand for face masks, both in China and the United States. The N95 respirator provides the greatest protection, but health experts say the general public has little use for it.January 29, 2020
Prevention
Philadelphia Airport among those screening passengers for coronavirus
Philadelphia airpot among those screening travelers for coronavirusJanuary 28, 2020
Illness
Second Philadelphia patient cleared of having coronavirus, health officials say
Another potential coronavirus case is being investigated in Philadelphia, according to the city's health department. The announcement came hours after diagnostic test results revealed that a William Penn Charter School exchange student did not have the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 4,500 people in China, killing more than 100 people. Health officials say risk of infection for Americans remains low.January 27, 2020
Illness
Philly health officials investigating possible coronavirus case at William Penn Charter
Philadelphia health officials are investigating whether an exchange student at William Penn Charter has been infected with the novel coronavirus. Despite five U.S. cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans are at low risk of becoming infected. The coronavirus has killed at least 80 people in China since an outbreak began in late 2019 at a seafood market in Wuhan, Hubei Province.January 24, 2020
Health News
Project HOME, Independence Blue Cross team up to address North Philly health disparities
Project HOME, Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth Caritas have launched "Keystone Connection Wellness," an initiative designed to address health disparities in two North Philly zip codes by focusing on the social determinants of health. The life expectancy there is 10 years shy of the national figure and the infant mortality rate is double the national rate.January 23, 2020
Addiction
Quit smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery, WHO advises
People who quit smoking tobacco at least four weeks prior to surgery have a lower risk of complication and show better results six months later, according to a joint study conducted by the World Health Organization and the University of Newcastle in Australia.January 22, 2020
Health News
Does Tylenol cause cancer? California considers declaring acetaminophen a carcinogen
California regulators are considering labeling acetaminophen – the drug found in Tylenol and other common pain relievers – as a carcinogen. But studies examining the drug's association to cancer have produced mixed results.January 17, 2020
Fitness
New Jersey adults among the least physically active in the U.S., CDC finds
About 29% of New Jersey adults are physically inactive, placing them at greater risk for a multitude of adverse health conditions. Pennsylvania did not fare much better, according to the CDC, which mapped physical inactivity across the United States.January 15, 2020
Addiction
Many vaping-related lung injury victims used THC products from 'informal sources,' CDC says
Many of the victims who suffered vaping-related lung injuries used THC products they obtained through informal sources, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been more than 2,600 EVALI cases since the outbreak began during the 2019 summer.January 9, 2020
Health Stories
Born without a uterus, Philly-area woman births milestone baby thanks to transplant at Penn Medicine
Penn uterus transplant storyJust In
- N.J. bill would write Gov. Murphy's 100% clean electricity goal into law before he leaves office
- In latest World Cup ticket phase, which ends Jan. 13, FIFA says requests are over 30 times higher than supply
- Health officials warn public after coyote injures person in Warwick Township
- PA Turnpike raises tolls for 18th straight year, but E-ZPass users will only have to pay 8 cents more
- Eagles-Commanders Week 18 injury report, with analysis
- A look ahead at an extremely busy 2026 for sports in Philadelphia
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