Myth, meet medicine: Do redheads really need more anesthesia?

Philly Voice (Health) 10/12 11:00P Dr. Michael Sabia

Genetic variants associated with natural red hair may influence pain perception and responses to certain anesthetic and pain medications, but the effect varies considerably from person to person.

Pope Leo has a nodule in his lung. Here's what that is and how it's treated

Philly Voice (Health) 10/12 8:53A Courtenay Harris Bond

Pope Leo says he is having surgery related to a lung nodule detected during routine checkups. Lung nodules are often not cancerous, but may require a biopsy or removal for proper diagnosis.

Raw milk consumption has become more popular, but a prominent medical group wants sales to be...

Philly Voice (Health) 10/12 6:32A Courtenay Harris Bond

The American Academy of Pediatrics says raw milk sales should be banned, because consuming raw milk can lead to serious foodborne illnesses that can result in hospitalization and death.

In light of Cornell rape case, Philly rolls out awareness campaign to connect sexual assault...

Philly Voice (Health) 10/11 11:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

Philadelphia's health department has started a campaign to raise awareness about sexual assault and available resources in wake of the Cornell University rape case. In the suburbs, Main Line Health has a new, enhanced system for survivors who...

Flu season is near – here's a guide to available vaccines

Philly Voice (Health) 10/10 11:00P Annette Regan, University of Cal

Vaccination provides the best protection against influenza. Several safe and effective vaccines are available this season, including a new mRNA shot for people 50 and older and a nasal spray for those who don't like needles.

Your cells keep a record of every workout you’ve ever done – and those gains persist even after a...

Philly Voice (Health) 10/9 11:00P Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, Univer

Scientists have long understood exercise as something whose beneficial effects fade away over time. But new research is challenging that notion.

Chester County high school is closed Friday due to measles case

Philly Voice (Health) 10/9 4:04A Molly McVety

Oxford Area High School in Chester County is closed Friday because a measles case was confirmed in its school community. The school is confirming the immunity documentation of its staffers. Anyone who is unvaccinated against measles cannot return...

Studying dementia in dogs may provide clues for Alzheimer's treatment

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 11:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

The brains of dogs with dementia have striking similarities to the brains of humans with dementia, a finding that may help advance the research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, a new study says.

Fish in the Wissahickon Creek basin have unsafe levels of forever chemicals, officials warn

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 10:11A Kristin Hunt

Pennsylvania health and environmental officials issued a 'do not eat' advisory for all fish species in the Wissahickon Creek basin in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties after detecting unsafe PFOS levels.

Heart failure has more than doubled among younger adults in recent decades

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 8:48A Courtenay Harris Bond

Heart failure rates more than doubled among young adults in the United States in recent decades, a new report shows. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans will develop heart failure during their lives, and the rate is projected to continue rising.

Menopause is a major health milestone, yet health records barely track it, new research finds

Philly Voice (Health) 10/3 11:00P Audrey Hendricks and Nanette San

An analysis of the electronic medical records of almost 240,000 women found that only 12% included mention of menopause, even though more than half the women reported separately that they were experiencing this transition. The findings reveal a...

Pennsylvania House panel advances bill to regulate kratom

Philly Voice (Health) 10/2 11:00P Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital

A panel of Pennsylvania House members advanced a bill Tuesday that would allow the sale of some kratom products to continue in the state, while banning others and creating stricter regulations for sellers.

Adopting healthy habits at 50 can lead to a longer, disease-free life. Here's a playbook to get...

Philly Voice (Health) 10/1 11:00P Louis Bezich

A man who adopts consistent healthy lifestyle habits at age 50 can add about eight disease-free years to his life, research shows. Here's a playbook for adopting healthy habits.

Prescriptions for Valium, Xanax and other benzodiazepines have steeply declined

Philly Voice (Health) 10/1 10:35A Courtenay Harris Bond

Benzodiazepine prescriptions dropped by 27% from 2013 to 2024, a Rutgers University study shows. The decline may be due to more stringent prescribing practices enacted in response to the opioid epidemic. Benzodiazepines have been mixed with...

Running hard isn't always necessary —slow jogging has health benefits, too

Philly Voice (Health) 9/29 11:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

Slow jogging has physical and mental health benefits. Running at a 'niko niko' or 'smiling' pace boosts mood, endurance and strength, research shows. Here's how to do it.