WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy to eliminate $1.15 billion in debt as it expands telehealth...

Philly Voice (Health) 5/7 7:52A Jeff Tomik

WeightWatchers has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to eliminate $1.15 billion in debt as it undergoes a financial reorganization to expand its telehealth business.

Indoor plants do more than beautify a room. They boost mental health, too

Philly Voice (Health) 5/7 5:01A Courtenay Harris Bond

Indoor plants provide more than aesthetics. They also provide mental health benefits, including reduced stress and improved mood and focus, research shows. Here's a guide to finding free and low-cost plants in the Philadelphia region.

Know an outstanding nurse? IBX seeks nominations for its Sunshine Award

Philly Voice (Health) 5/6 11:05A Courtenay Harris Bond

Three outstanding nurses in the Philadelphia region will be selected to receive the Sunshine Award Independence Blue Cross. Nominations are open through May 31. The winners will receive $500 gift cards and can each select a charity to receive a...

As the U.S. faces a physician shortage, 1 in 10 doctors say they are burned out

Philly Voice (Health) 5/6 8:00A Courtenay Harris Bond

About 10% of internal medicine doctors are showing signs of burnout, a new study finds. It comes as the U.S. faces a growing physician shortage, though other research suggests overall physician burnout has declined since the pandemic.

Gout is a serious and often misunderstood health condition

Philly Voice (Health) 5/5 6:30A Peter Key, sponsored by Independ

Despite outdated misconceptions, gout is still very much a current health concern that affects millions of Americans.

Adults with acne are at higher risk of eating disorders

Philly Voice (Health) 4/30 10:51A Courtenay Harris Bond

Adults with acne are 2.4 times more likely to have an eating disorder, according to a new study. The research highlights the 'intricate' relationship between dermatological conditions and mental health, scientists say.

COVID-19 puts kids at increased risk of kidney, heart and gut problems

Philly Voice (Health) 4/30 9:37A Michael Tanenbaum

Children and young adults are at greater risk for a variety of kidney, gut and heart problems if they have had past COVID-19 infections, according to research from the University of Pennsylvania.

Eating ultra-processed foods may lead to an early death; here's how to reduce them in your diet

Philly Voice (Health) 4/28 9:21A Michaela Althouse

Eating greater amounts of ultra-processed foods, like processed meats, sugary drinks and instant meals, is linked to a higher risk of premature death, new research shows. But there are ways to reduce the amount of ultra-processed foods in your...

A Bucks County teen received a kidney from a young New York woman. On Friday, they met for the first...

Philly Voice (Health) 4/25 11:12A Courtenay Harris Bond

Meghan Bosack, 21, of New York, had her kidney removed to help her recover from nutcracker syndrome. She donated it to Evelyn Bautista, 17, of Bucks County, who had been on kidney dialysis. The two met for the first time Friday at Temple...

Drexel, West Chester universities join program that helps veterans become nurses

Philly Voice (Health) 4/25 9:56A PhillyVoice Staff

To help veterans pursue nursing degrees, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation has awarded nearly $1.8 million in grants to seven Philly-area schools participating in its Service Scholars program.

Pope Francis' death after Easter sounds miraculous, but patients and caregivers often work together...

Philly Voice (Health) 4/25 9:17A Michelle Riba, University of Mic

Pope Francis died after Easter, joining patients who 'hold on' until important events. A cancer expert explains how doctors help terminally ill patients reach meaningful milestones.

Trump administration sued for withholding family planning funds in Pa., other states

Philly Voice (Health) 4/25 7:19A Jennifer Shutt, Pennsylvania Cap

A new federal lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's decision to withhold $65.8 million in Title X family planning grants from Pennsylvania and 21 other states.

A bacterial toxin may be a factor in the rise in colon cancer among young people

Philly Voice (Health) 4/23 10:31A Courtenay Harris Bond

New research suggests that a bacterial toxin caused by strains of E. coli may be partly to blame for the rise in colorectal cancer among people under 50. The toxin, called colibactin, leaves specific patterns of DNA mutations that appear in...

The ice bucket challenge is back, and this time it's raising money for mental health awareness

Philly Voice (Health) 4/23 5:57A Courtenay Harris Bond

The Ice Bucket Challenge has been revived by a University of South Carolina student who wants to normalize conversations about mental health. The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in 2014 to raise money for ALS research.

How to make healthy living a family affair

Philly Voice (Health) 4/22 6:19A Peter Key, sponsored by Independ

If you’ve struggled to eat healthily and stay active as an adult, the idea of getting your entire family onboard might sound like an impossible task.