Health & Wellness News

The dangerously unhealthy air quality in Lehigh Valley from smoke from Canadian wildfires has residents wearing COVID masks again.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada can be seen and smelled in much of the northeast, including the Lehigh Valley. Local pulmonologists are weighing in with what to do to avoid too much exposure.

Allentown Fire Department is warning against any outdoor fires due to dry conditions and elevated winds as a red flag warning continues for the region.

Those hitting the public pools in Allentown should do so safety says the city’s special events coordinator. Officials there want pool patrons to keep a few things in mind this summer season.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

A local amputee support group continues to connect those who have lost a limb and raise money for other amputees. The Lehigh Valley Amputee Support Group held its 17th Annual Golf Tournament Friday.

An organization called 'Mom-n-PA' is providing tens of thousands of dollars worth of dental care. All you have to do is show up.

The Burn Prevention Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network educate parents about burn and fire risks to their children. What was once a packet of information will now be a video will be shown to those with newborns.

The 21st Century program is to help students with academic support and art and music enrichment.

Loneliness, isolation and social disconnect are a public health crisis in the United States. Brittany Sweeney hosts a community conversation to examine the factors that contribute to isolation — and what we can do to avoid it.

The mobile stroke unit at Lehigh Valley Health Network is expanding its reach with a new partnership. The specialized ambulance will now assist first responders in part of Berks County with neurological emergencies.

A red fox in Northampton County earlier this month became the first mammal in the Lehigh Valley to contract bird flu.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey took to the Senate floor on March 3 to speak out in opposition to the Democrat-backed $2 trillion stimulus package.

Gov. Tom Wolf is rolling out a plan to vaccinate teachers and school workers but the Diocese of Allentown said on March 3 that it opposes the use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, calling it “morally compromised.”

Pennsylvania health officials on March 4 announced more details about how they plan to get COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of teachers and school employees.

Microplastic contaminants have been found in 53 waterways in Pennsylvania, including in the Lehigh River, according to clean water advocacy group PennEnvironment.

Pennsylvania teachers and school staff are now eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines. The state will use Johnson & Johnson one-shot doses in an effort to get schools open again.

The popularity of internet-based gambling in Pennsylvania has taken off as the pandemic caused casinos to shutdown. But online gambling addiction may be rising as well.

BETLHEHEM, Pa. - The federal government recently reported due to the pandemic, life expectancy in America has dropped a whole year. U.S. life expectancy…

WLVR’s Tyler Pratt recently spoke with Norberto, who is now home. He said the conditions and isolation at the jail in lockdown were dramatically worse than any of his previous experiences.

Dr. Rachel Levine said she would continue to promote science and fact-based COVID-19 guidance if confirmed to be Assistant U.S. Secretary of Health during a hearing before a U.S. Senate committee Thursday.

Thanks to an additional shipment of the Pfizer vaccine, the Bethlehem Health Bureau is adding first-dose appointments to its Wind Creek clinic to be given on Feb 26.

Weather delays and a mixup on the state level have caused second doses of the COVID vaccine to be canceled across Pennsylvania. The Allentown Health Bureau is just one location in the Lehigh Valley rescheduling patients at the last minute.

Mental health conditions continue to skyrocket during the pandemic, leaving many feeling hopeless. But a Lehigh Valley psychiatrist says there are ways to combat the mental health crisis.