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.
May 14, 2021
Health Stories
Temple patient 'counting his blessings' after near-fatal COVID-19 battle ends with lung transplant
Thomas Williams is one of several COVID-19 patients who have received organ transplants at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. The South Jersey resident received a new lung four days after being placed on the lung transplant list – an unusually quick turnaround partially prompted by his severe condition.April 22, 2021
Women's Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield pledges to cut maternal health disparities in half by 2026
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is establishing a new strategy aimed at reducing racial health inequities in maternal health, behavioral health, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It first seeks to reduce the disparity in the maternal mortality rate — Black women are 2.5 times more likely to die while pregnant or in childbirth than white women.January 7, 2021
Protests
Pa. Congresswoman details 'frightening' evacuation scene at U.S. Capitol
Rep. Susan Wild, of Pennsylvania, was one of the last lawmakers evacuated from the U.S. Capitol when a mob of pro-Trump supporters breached security Wednesday as Congress was certifying the Electoral College results.December 18, 2020
Prevention
FDA authorizes Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine Friday for adults ages 18 and over. That will give the United States two coronavirus vaccines. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently being administered to health care workers across the country.December 15, 2020
Prevention
Who gets the COVID-19 vaccine first in Philly? Eligibility based on three key factors
Philadelphia's COVID-19 vaccines will be given first to health care workers exposed to the coronavirus and nursing home residents and staffers, according to a prioritization order released by the city. Next up are critical infrastructure workers, like teachers and transit workers. It will take months before vaccines are available to the general public.December 11, 2020
Illness
FDA authorizes Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine has been granted an emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, kicking off a massive distribution effort to inoculate the American public. Health care workers and nursing home residents will be the first to receive the immunization.November 6, 2020
2020 Election
Josh Shapiro tops Heather Heidelbaugh in Pennsylvania Attorney General race
Josh Shapiro was re-elected as Pennsylvania's attorney general, defeating Republican challenger Heather Heidelbaugh. The Democratic incumbent focused his first term on a range of issues, rooting out sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and challenging myriad Trump administration polices. He also took on opioid and e-cigarette manufacturers.October 5, 2020
Illness
COVID-19 can spread via airborne transmission, revised CDC guidelines say
The coronavirus can spread through aerosols that linger in the air for "minutes to hours," according to the CDC's new guidelines. But airborne transmission is "uncommon," with most spread stemming from close, person-to-person contact, the agency says.September 21, 2020
Mental Health
For colleges, online mental health services are a 'silver lining' of COVID-19 crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has prompted an increase of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, among U.S. college students. With many campuses closed, universities are responding to the influx through virtual counseling sessions and digital outreach – forums that come with a variety of advantages and disadvantages.September 7, 2020
Deaths
La Salle College High mourns death of 'kind and thoughtful' football player
Isaiah Turner, a two-sport athlete at La Salle College High School in the Philadelphia suburbs, died after suffering a "sudden catastrophic medical event" at football practice Friday. His family, friends and teammates mourned his death over Labor Day Weekend, describing him as "kind and thoughtful," with a "warm, inviting smile."Just In
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