Police killings strain mental health of entire black community, study finds

Philly.com (Health) 6/21 12:30P

Police killings of unarmed black Americans evoke such profound anxiety and depression among the wider black population that the mental health toll is nearly comparable to the stress caused by a chronic illness like diabetes, a new study finds.

Philadelphia-area nursing home staffers facing big financial hits from ownership changes

Philly.com (Health) 6/21 11:53A

In a period of rapid turnover of nursing-home ownership, new operators are increasingly slashing the wages and benefits of nursing homes' lowest-paid workers.

WHO recognizes excessive video gaming as new mental health disorder

Philly.com (Health) 6/21 8:37A

WHO recently added a gaming disorder under the addictive behaviors category, now making excessive gaming a medical condition.

West Philadelphia spike in suspected cocaine-fentanyl overdoses alarms health officials

Philly.com (Health) 6/21 8:25A

Most of the victims told doctors they thought they were using crack cocaine. But the overdoses they experienced fit the profile of an opioid overdose, "which raises the concern of possible adulteration with fentanyl,"the Philadelphia Department...

Think before releasing balloons: Osprey tangled 35-feet up rescued at Shore

Philly.com (Health) 6/21 8:19A

Wurst, habitat program manager for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, knew entangled birds are not unusual for this time of year: balloons being released for graduations and other outdoor celebrations. The balloons drift over land before...

Jefferson uses webcam to update family members from the OR while waiting for a loved one in surgery

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 11:47P

Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health lets family members receive news from heart surgeons still in the operating room - through a high-definition webcam and video conferencing software. Surgeons let family members know when a patient has safely made...

After hazards were exposed, Philadelphia school district launches massive summer cleanup

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 11:35P

A month after the "Toxic City: Sick Schools" investigation found dangerous levels of asbestos fibers in rundown Philadelphia elementary schools, the district said it has begun cleaning them up.

Temple University will hire restructuring officer for health system, could sell Fox Chase and...

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 12:02P

Temple University's board of trustees on Wednesday announced that the North Philadelphia institution will hire a chief restructuring officer for its financially beleaguered health system and would consider selling Fox Chase Cancer Center and...

FDA reconsiders added sugar label for maple syrup, honey

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 11:18A

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reconsidering its plan to require that pure maple syrup and honey be labeled as containing added sugars.

The problem with kids and flavored tobacco

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 9:24A

The Philadelphia City Council recently introduced legislation that seeks to ban flavors that appeal to children in cigar products. Here's why health care professionals support this move.

1 in 5 children detained in zero-tolerance border policy are under 13

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 9:19A

Their welfare is being overseen by a small division of the Department of Health and Human Services that has little experience or expertise in handling young children.

Father Mike, a staple at a Kensington soup kitchen, reflects on 30 years in the changing...

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 9:15A

Father Mike, an institution at a Kensington soup kitchen, has seen the neighborhood fluctuate over the 31 years he's lived there - most recently watching the community change as a result of the opioid crisis.

New flu vaccine only a little better than traditional shot

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 8:18A

NEW YORK (AP) - A newer kind of flu vaccine only worked a little bit better in seniors this past winter than traditional shots, the government reported Wednesday.

Dimon, Bezos, Buffett tap Harvard's Gawande for health firm

Philly.com (Health) 6/20 6:57A

The new firm - meant to help the three companies improve care and lower costs - will be based in Boston and Atul Gawande will start on July 9.

10 ways to save money on diabetes care - and get healthier in the process

Philly.com (Health) 6/19 4:57P

On average, people with diabetes spend about $16,750 a year on health care, more than half of which goes to the costs of managing the condition and its many side effects.