Courtenay Harris Bond

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.

courtenay@phillyvoice.com

October 31, 2024

Children's Health

At Halloween, CHOP helps families of hospitalized infants celebrate by dressing them in costume

Holidays in the hospital can be hard on families, so CHOP's newborn/infant intensive care unit seeks to bring some joy by helping families mimic the celebrations they would be having at home. At Halloween, the N/IICU dresses babies in costume.

October 31, 2024

Children's Health

Teens who get surgery for obesity retain weight-loss reductions 10 years later

Teenagers with obesity who undergo gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy surgeries retain their weight-loss reductions 10 years later, according to study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They also have a 50% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes.

October 29, 2024

Children's Health

Being too heavy or skinny as a child may impact lung function as an adult

Children's BMI can affect their future lung function

October 24, 2024

Adult Health

What causes nosebleeds? And when should medical attention be sought?

Most people will get at least one nosebleed in their lives. Though the experience is unpleasant, nosebleeds are rarely serious. Here is more information on their causes, how to stop the bleeding and when to see a doctor.

October 24, 2024

Senior Health

How long you can stand on one leg is a telltale sign of aging

The length of time a person can stand on one leg – and particularly their non-dominant leg – is a telltale sign of aging, a new study from the Mayo Clinic found. The researchers sought to determine how balance, muscle strength and gait change over time – and at what rate. The ability to stand on one leg showed the greatest decline with age.

October 23, 2024

Lawsuits

Family of man who died of diabetes complications in Philly jail sues city, alleging his death was preventable

The family of Louis Jung Jr., who died at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on Nov. 6, filed a lawsuit alleging that his death from diabetes complications was preventable. The suit claims the Philadelphia jail's staff failed to provide him insulin and necessary medical care.

October 22, 2024

Health News

Infant death rates were higher than expected after U.S. Supreme Court's abortion ruling, study shows

There were more infant deaths than expected in the months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, eliminating federal protections for abortion, new research from Ohio State University shows. Infant deaths caused by chromosomal and genetic abnormalities particularly rose.

October 18, 2024

Health News

Philly-area hospitals are closely monitoring IV fluid supplies as the nationwide shortage wears on

The shortage of IV fluids have forced hospitals, including some in the Philadelphia region to postpone some elective surgeries, reserve IV fluids for patients most in need and use commercial electrolyte drinks to keep other people hydrated.

October 17, 2024

Adult Health

Kidney transplants between people with HIV are safe and effective, and may help address donor shortages

HIV-to-HIV kidney transplants are as safe and effective as those between people without HIV, according to new research published by the New England Journal of Medicine. The study calls for the procedure to be expanded beyond research settings, which proponents say will help mitigate the shortage in kidney donors.

October 16, 2024

Wellness

Why letting your mind wander is essential to your well-being – and how to find time to do it

Brain breaks are important for psychological mental processing, such as recalling memories, envisioning the future, conducting moral reasoning and solving problems. But finding, or even allowing oneself, the time to take these breaks is difficult. Here are some tips to help you.

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