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.

A Lehigh Valley organization is teaming up with a local health network in an effort to boost access to the vaccine in communities that may need it most.

Some Lehigh Valley healthcare providers are scrambling to see if they can still hold vaccine clinics next week because of a statewide shortage of Moderna shots.

Healthcare providers across Pennsylvania will have to follow new rules from the state on vaccine distribution or face serious consequences.

More than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Pennsylvania so far. To celebrate the hard-won milestones, some social media users have been sharing photos of their vaccination cards.

COVID-19 cases at Northampton and Lehigh County jails are dwindling after months of concern about high case numbers. But lockdowns will remain in place.

Marshmallow lovers can rest easy today. After coronavirus caused a nine-month hiatus the locally-made Peeps are making a comeback.

In the wake of concerns about getting vaccines from the state next week, Lehigh Valley Health Network says it’s keeping its vaccination appointments for next week, as it feverishly lobbies the state for more doses.

Lehigh Valley Health Network may not get the vaccine shipment it was counting on for next week. Network leaders are scrambling to find out where the doses are for scheduled shots.

As folks across the Lehigh Valley are struggling to get vaccines, a Facebook group has popped up to help find direction.

Pennsylvania has received more than 2 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine but, fewer than a million residents have received their first shot.

Concerned residents held a vigil outside the Lehigh County Jail in Allentown over the weekend with signs and candles to remember an inmate and correctional officer who recently died from COVID-19 and to raise awareness of what they say are dangerous conditions inside.

Lehigh Valley community members say the situation inside the Lehigh County Jail is bleak. Activists say COVID-19 conditions are causing harm to inmates and employees. And they plan to make their voices heard this weekend.