Health & Wellness News

A professor of law is weighing in on a medical repatriation — or as some call it, a 'medical deportation' case — in the Lehigh Valley. Professor Lori Nessel is the director of the Immigrants’ Rights/International Human Rights Clinic at the Seton Hall University School of Law.

Richard M. Bodner testified on Friday to the safety measures implemented not only to the existing Bethlehem Landfill but its proposed expansion in Lower Saucon Township.

Northampton County is approved to join other municipalities and residents who have a legal standing in opposing the proposed landfill in Lower Saucon Township.

The specialty flight company MedEscort says it has "repatriated" over 6,000 patients to more than 100 countries. Critics say they're profiting from "medical deportations." The company challenges the phrase, and denies pressuring the family.

Patient advocates protested Wednesday outside Lehigh Valley Health Network's Cedar Crest Campus.

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The Lehigh Valley will host a marathon for the first time since the pandemic started. Registration will open this month for the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest.

Lehigh Valley Health Network was victimized in a cybersecurity attack last month. The network said it refused to pay a ransom. Now, patient information and photos have been posted on the dark web, according to LVHN.

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced $52.5 million in grants intended to prevent suicide. Named for Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox, the suicide prevention grant program is now in its second year. Its goal is to fund community-based organizations that work with veterans and their families. Last year, the VA gave awards to three groups in Pennsylvania, including more than $530,000 to St. Luke’s Penn Foundation in Carbon County. Eighty recipients won awards nationwide in the program’s first year. Grant applications are due by May 19 with awards expected to be announced in September. Selected organizations will receive funding for 2024. More information on how to apply is available at mentalhealth.va.gov.

Drug shortages seem to be a big issue in the wake of the pandemic. Children's pain medication and other prescriptions have been hard to get in the past few months because of supply chain issues.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 8, would remove out-of-pocket costs and require 100% coverage for preventative breast cancer screenings and genetic testing. Proponents say it would be the first of its kind in the nation.

Starting Monday, March 6, Lehigh Valley Health Network will no longer require coronavirus face masks for the public inside hospitals and health care facilities in areas not associated with patient care.

Research in a growing scientific field called ecotherapy at Harvard University shows activities like walking in the woods can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Even a few minutes outside can do the trick.

Bethlehem-based OraSure Technologies has submitted its new rapid COVID home test for U.S Food and Drug Administration emergency approval.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently decided to allocate COVID-19 vaccines to providers who can get the greatest amount of shots administered.

Transgender individuals in the Lehigh Valley have a new resource if they are struggling to get by.

So far, 55,000 teachers and school staff members have been vaccinated throughout Pennsylvania, since Gov.Tom Wolf launched a push to prioritize educators earlier this month.

An increasing number of women going for their annual mammogram are showing signs of inflammation these days. Doctors now believe the COVID-19 vaccine has something to do with it.

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.