Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers. A new drug being tested at Penn is giving patients and doctors hope
A new drug being tested in clinical trials around the world, including at Penn Medicine’s...
Health
Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products
Access has also been a persistent issue in immigration detention centers.
Meet the Lehigh Valley’s first babies of 2026: 1 born 11 minutes past midnight, another at 1:11 a.m. on 1/1
Lehigh Valley Health Network welcomed its first baby of 2026 only 11 minutes after midnight,...
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
As 2026 arrives, here’s what you can skip — and what you should pay attention...
Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here’s what to know
Health experts urge vaccination as it provides at least partial protection.
A family is trying to raise millions to test gene therapy that could help kids trapped in bodies they can’t move
Producing a treatment for 8-year-old Everly Green’s ultra-rare genetic condition isn’t profitable for drugmakers.
SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1
SNAP recipients in five states will see new limits starting Thursday.
In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
RFK Jr. reshaped the HHS, cutting research funding and promoting discredited views on vaccines.
Ground beef sold in Pennsylvania, 5 other states recalled
The ground beef also was sold in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Washington.
Foods with healthy-sounding buzzwords could be hiding added sugar in plain sight
Here’s how to spot hidden sugars and what to do about it.
FDA panelists questioned antidepressants in pregnancy. But doctors call them a lifeline
Medical experts are concerned that a July panel discussion convened by the FDA could lead...
Lehigh Valley food safety report: no sanitizer; dirty, dusty, crusty floors; dank mops
Here's the latest batch of food safety inspection results from around the Lehigh Valley.
Americans face growing loneliness and social disconnection
Small groups are working to restore community connections.
You finally got a doctor’s appointment. Here’s how to get the most out of it
Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation.
Doctor’s orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week’
Why is laughter good for you?
More Lehigh Valley families are turning to service dogs for children. Here’s why that’s a difficult decision
Multiple families are turning to service dogs — and the community — hoping they will...
Call 911 or risk losing the baby? Raids force some immigrants to avoid care
Since Trump took office, immigrant families are more likely to skip or delay health care.
Pediatrics group sues HHS for cutting funds for children’s health programs
The suit alleges HHS made the cuts in retaliation for speaking out against Trump actions.
‘The best gift ever’: Baby is born after the rarest of pregnancies, defying all odds
Doctors say just 1 in 30,000 pregnancies occur like this.
More than a third of states sue HHS over a move that could curtail youth gender-affirming care
Most major medical organizations oppose restrictions on transgender care and services for young people.
When should kids get a smartphone? A study links owning one before age 12 to health risks
Smartphone ownership is high among U.S. children and teens.
With no deal in sight, health care costs will rise in 2026. Here’s how that will affect one Lehigh Valley family
Jennifer Doyle is one of more than 20 million Americans who can expect to see...
‘Super flu’ variant is circulating and raising concern. Here’s what to know about it
Detections of this subclade have risen rapidly since August 2025.
US regulators approve Wegovy pill for weight loss
The approval handed drugmaker Novo Nordisk an edge over rival Eli Lilly.
To find living donors for kidney transplants, a pilot program turns to social networks
The Great Social Experiment pairs patients with "angel advocates."
Worried about health insurance costs? There may be cheaper options — but with trade-offs
Frustrated consumers may have to make sacrifices on coverage to get a price they can...
Ryan Mackenzie’s move on ACA subsidies shows how health care could dominate 2026 midterms in Pa.
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s move last week underscored the powerful political force that health care costs...
Lehigh Valley food safety report: mice, roaches, mold, expired baby formula, general untidiness
Here's the latest batch of food safety inspection results from around the Lehigh Valley.
Out-of-pocket pain from high-deductible plans means skimping on care
High-deductible plans pose a particular challenge for those with chronic conditions.
How delays and bankruptcy let a nursing home chain avoid paying settlements for injuries and deaths
The nursing home industry is increasingly finding refuge in bankruptcy court.
Older adults may struggle to learn a new language but classes are a worthwhile exercise
My weekly language classes have taught me humility more than anything else.
Tanning bed users have nearly twice as much damage to skin cells, Northwestern study finds
Use of tanning beds nearly triples the risk of developing melanoma, and it also damages...
Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children
The moves contradict the recommendations of major medical groups.
New student loan rule could dissuade people from advanced nursing degrees
A provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act overhauls the student loan program for...
Dozens of parents are suing Lehigh Valley child abuse doctor at center of new Serial podcast
Debra Esernio-Jenssen and Lehigh Valley Health Network are being sued by dozens of parents who...
A Lehigh Valley doctor’s testimony sent this man to prison. Questions about her credibility led to his release
The key to Matthew Wolfe's conviction was the testimony of Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen. In a...
Nebraska plans to be the first state to implement Trump’s new Medicaid work requirements
Trump signed a law requiring states to start enforcing the requirements by 2027.
Teen drug use remains low, but survey finds small rise in heroin and cocaine use
The findings reveal a significant drop from 30 years ago.
When measles hit West Texas, school absences soared and it wasn’t just sick kids who were out
The study offers a glimpse at the toll on student learning from measles spreading.
Ryan Mackenzie, 3 other Republicans defy House speaker to force vote on extending ACA subsidies
Four Republicans, including Lehigh Valley congressman Ryan Mackenzie, broke with Speaker Mike Johnson and signed...
Like many holiday traditions, lighting candles and fireplaces is best done in moderation
Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, especially during colder months.
Former NIH scientist sues Trump administration, claims illegal firing over research cuts
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo filed the complaint alleging whistleblower retaliation.
Hundreds of snow geese dead at Northampton County quarry suspected victims of bird flu, game commission says
Hundreds of snow geese found dead at a Northampton County quarry are suspected to have...
Under Kennedy, America’s health department is in the business of promoting Kennedy
HHS has compromised campaigns promoting immunizations and other preventive health measures.
FDA OKs libido-boosting pill for women who have gone through menopause
The once-a-day pill can now be taken by women older than 65.
More people are caring for dying loved ones at home. A New Orleans nonprofit is showing them how
Demand for home health care, including at-home hospice care, has skyrocketed.
Lehigh Valley doctors urge parents to ‘trust their pediatrician’ in face of updated hepatitis B vaccine guidance
Despite new guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on giving the hepatitis B...
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Dead mice, black mold, dirty equipment, no hot water
Here's the latest batch of food safety inspection results from around the Lehigh Valley.
Nordic people know how to beat the winter blues. Here’s how to find light in the darkest months
The Nordic countries are no strangers to the long, dark winter.
A guide to good manners at the retail counter this holiday season
Experts recommend that customers reduce their own stress by planning shopping trips ahead.
Faith leaders embrace sound baths to connect with spiritual seekers
Sound baths have surged in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic.
Winter virus season so far is not too bad, but doctors worry about suffering to come
Flu season activity is still low in many parts of the U.S.
If you want that tattoo erased it’s going to hurt and it’s going to cost you
A 2023 survey determined that 32% of adults in the United States have tattoos.
The Senate voted down dueling health proposals. Here’s what’s at stake for Americans
Affordable Care Act subsidies will end in three weeks, more than doubling the premiums.
Trump wants Americans to make more babies. Critics say his policies won’t help raise them
The national birth rate has largely been on a downward trajectory since 2007.
Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of Americans
Republicans and Democrats never engaged in meaningful or high-level negotiations on a solution.
Oreo is bringing zero-sugar cookies to the US
Oreo Zero Sugar and Oreo Double Stuf Zero Sugar will go on sale in January.
Botulism outbreak sickens more than 50 babies and expands to all ByHeart products
The outbreak now includes at least 51 infants in 19 states.
Feds promised ‘radical transparency’ but are withholding rural health fund applications
Democrats and health care advocates are concerned politics will affect how much money states get.
FDA opens safety review of injectable RSV drugs approved for babies and toddlers
The drugs from Merck and Sanofi are not vaccines.
How a rare drug made from scientists’ blood saves babies from botulism
An IV medication uses antibodies from volunteers to help babies too young to fight the...
Medicaid work rules exempt the ‘medically frail.’ Deciding who qualifies is tricky
Lacking sufficient federal guidance, states are wrestling with how to define medical frailty.
Affordable Care Act enrollment is slightly ahead of last year so far, despite expiring subsidies
Subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025 will make the coverage more expensive...
New behavioral health hospital set to open in Lehigh Valley. What to know
Pennsylvania’s newest behavioral health hospital will open its doors for patients soon.
AI vs. AI: Patients deploy bots to battle health insurers that deny care
“We don’t want to get on an AI-enabled treadmill that just speeds up.”
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Insects, rodents, black mold, dirty equipment, improperly stored meat
Here's the latest batch of food safety inspection results from around the Lehigh Valley.
After series of denials, his insurer approved doctor-recommended cancer care. It was too late
It’s infeasible to count the people harmed by prior authorization.
Lehigh Valley residents camp out for free dental, vision and medical care
The line started forming at 11 p.m. Friday for this weekend's pop-up Remote Area Medical...
Cancer stole her voice. She used AI, curse words and kids’ books to get it back
Sonya Sotinsky’s AI voice literally helped save her life.
Dr. Oz gives his prescription for controlling health care costs at Lehigh Valley summit as trans groups protest visit
Dr. Mehmet Oz gave his prescription for controlling spiraling health care costs Friday at the...
US vaccine advisers say not all babies need a hepatitis B shot at birth
A loud chorus of medical and public health leaders decried the actions of the panel.
‘We can’t just teach abstinence’: How advice on bed-sharing with a baby is evolving
Babies who share a bed with their mothers have been shown to breastfeed longer.
After shutdown, federal employees face new uncertainty: affording health insurance
Average premium payments in the federal government’s insurance program for its employees are set to...
Kennedy’s vaccine advisory committee delays vote on hepatitis B shots for newborns
The shots are widely considered to be a public health success for preventing thousands of...
Why doing good also makes us feel good, during the holidays and beyond
Many people feel more connected to their communities through acts of service.
A single shot of HPV vaccine may be enough to fight cervical cancer, study finds
A single HPV shot provided about 97% protection, similar to two doses.
Shredded cheese sold in dozens of states recalled due to potential for metal fragment contamination
The products are sold under private store-brand labels at retailers including Target, Walmart and Aldi.
What to know about the hepatitis B shot — and why Trump officials are targeting it
A federal committee voted to do away with a decades-old recommendation.
A hidden health crisis following natural disasters: Mold growth in homes
An estimated 47% of residential buildings in the United States contain mold or dampness.
Delayed care to 2 Black pregnant women highlights maternal health disparities
Each instance highlights the long-standing and rising disparities in health outcomes for Black women.
Lehigh Valley cannabis merchant says impending federal hemp ban could destroy the industry
A Lehigh Valley cannabis store owner fears the impending federal hemp ban could ruin his...
Complaints about gaps in Medicare Advantage networks are common. Federal enforcement is rare
Conflicts between Medicare Advantage plans and the doctors, hospitals, and other providers that serve their...
Annual free medical clinic returns to Lehigh Valley this weekend, offering dental, vision and medical care
The Lehigh Valley’s 3rd annual Remote Area Medical pop-up clinic will be held this weekend...
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates fuel pertussis outbreaks
Whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants under a year old.
New FDA-approved glasses can slow nearsightedness in kids
These specialized glasses aim to reduce the progression of myopia in kids 6-12.
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Rodent-eaten bread, grease dripping from hood, dirty vents
Here's the latest batch of food safety inspection results from around the Lehigh Valley.
Move. Cheer. Dance. Do the wave. How to tap into the collective joy of ‘we mode’
Researchers say the heartbeats and brain waves of people engaged in an exciting group activity...
Autoimmune diseases can strike any part of the body, and mostly affect women. Here’s what to know
New research is raising the prospect of treatments that might do more than tamp down...
It’s possible to get addicted to pot. Here’s what to know
It’s called cannabis use disorder and it’s on the rise, affecting about 3 in 10.
Breast cancer and birth control: A huge new study shows how science can be distorted
Doctors say the results won’t change how they counsel patients.
Trump administration says lower prices for 15 Medicare drugs will save taxpayers billions
The negotiation program is mandated by law and began under the Biden administration.
Kids get diseases like lupus, too. As researchers hunt better treatments, this camp brings joy
Autoimmune diseases are more rare in kids but they do happen.
Jefferson Health, which includes LVHN, has been sued for violating federal rules during recent layoff of hundreds
The lawsuit accuses Jefferson Health of violating federal labor rules when it laid off 1%...
Dr. Oz to discuss Medicare at Lehigh Valley event
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will be the...
ByHeart baby formula from all lots may be contaminated with botulism bacteria, tests show
At least 31 babies in 15 states have been sickened in the outbreak.
They relied on marijuana to get through the day. But then days felt impossible without it
Experts warn that the risks of heavy, daily use remain underrecognized.
Higher gun ownership rates lead to more gun homicides of pregnant women, new study says
Homicide is a leading cause of maternal death, with firearms involved in most killings.
More people are addicted to marijuana, but fewer of them are seeking help, experts say
Despite the rise in use, seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder has become less common.
Conflicting advice on COVID shots likely to ding already low vaccine rates, experts warn
About 1 in 4 American adults got a COVID vaccine during the 2024-25 virus season.
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Food contaminated by fire; remove dead roaches, rodents; wash hands, but not there
Here's the latest batch of food safety inspection results from around the Lehigh Valley.