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.
June 10, 2022
Illness
Monkeypox does not spread through airborne particles, CDC says
The monkeypox virus primarily spreads through direct, physical contact with the bodily fluids or sores of an infected person, the CDC stressed Friday. It is not known to spread through airborne transmission – a characteristic that aids the spread of highly contagious illnesses like COVID-19 and measles.June 10, 2022
Investigations
Investigation into Philly's mishandling of MOVE bombing remains provides few answers
An independent investigation into Philadelphia's handling of victims' remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing details faulty record-keeping by the medical examiner's office. But it does not answer why remains discovered in 2017 were not given to the victims' families or cremated – as instructed by former Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. The investigation was conducted by the law firms Dechert and Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads.December 30, 2021
Health Stories
After years of digestive issues, atypical surgery offers Swarthmore woman relief
Akia McDowell suffered from achalasia, a rare digestive disorder, for years before becoming the first pregnant woman to undergo a POEM procedure, a non-invasive surgery that alleviates GI symptoms. One year later, the Swarthmore resident has a healthy baby and far fewer digestive issues.December 29, 2021
Health News
CHOP, Independence executives named among most influential in health care
Modern Healthcare included Children's Hospital of Philadelphia CEO Madeline Bell and Independence Blue Cross CEO Gregory Deavens on its 2021 list of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare." The leaders of Pfizer and Moderna topped the rankings.December 22, 2021
Health Insurance
Pennsylvanians who buy health insurance using Pennie could pay more expensive premiums in 2022
Many Pennsylvania residents shopping for health plans on the state's exchange, Pennie, should expect their monthly premiums to increase due to several changes. The American Rescue Plan benefit that made thousands of unemployed people eligible for zero-dollar premiums has expired. And the way Pennie distributes enhanced subsidies will impact bills.November 2, 2021
Mental Health
Lane Johnson shines a spotlight on anxiety disorders and the drugs used to treat them
Eagles star Lane Johnson experienced withdrawal symptoms after he stopped taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, an anti-depressant he used to treat his anxiety and depression symptoms. SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa are commonly prescribed because they typically relieve symptoms without many side effects. But it can take time for them to work, and patients must sometimes try multiple medications before finding the most effective drug.September 10, 2021
Adult Health
Where were you on 9/11? Why our 'flashbulb' memories aren't as accurate as we believe
People are confident in their recollections of where they were when the 9/11 attacks occurred, as well as other historic events, but often those flashbulb memories contain inaccuracies, research shows. False memories inadvertently slip into these accounts of historic events due to errors made by our brains.July 14, 2021
Healthy Eating
Millennials are turning to non-alcoholic beer, but nutritionists stress it's not a health drink
Non-alcoholic beers have been touted as a healthier alternative for people who enjoy the taste of beer but want to reduce their alcohol consumption. Nutritionists caution that NA beer is not a health drink. They say its nutritional benefits are overstated, including its polyphenol content and potential as a post-workout drink.July 4, 2021
Holiday
Philly hosted the first Fourth of July celebration — with fireworks, of course
The first July 4 celebration took place in Philadelphia on Independence Day in 1777. The festivities included a 13-gun salute from ships on the Delaware River, a Congressional dinner and plenty of fireworks. The first fireworks were crude, with elaborate aerial displays becoming more common in the 19th Century.July 4, 2021
Protests
Patriot Front — the hate group that marched through Philly — has defaced several George Floyd memorials
Patriot Front, a white supremacist group that evolved from Vanguard America following the 2017 "United the Right" rally in Charlottesville, has increased its activity in Philadelphia over the last month. The racist group marched through Center City on July 3, 2021, carrying flags and fighting with bystanders. That came a month after its members defaced a George Floyd mural in Olney.Just In
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