Health & Wellness News

The Easton Area High School student is under a doctor's care, officials said. Whooping cough, or pertussis, spreads easily from person to person and outbreaks can occur in schools, child care centers and hospitals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of people developing cancer is on the rise, but the survival rate is also going up according to the American Cancer Society. Doctors believe there are two contributing factors.

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court made a ruling pertaining to abortion rights across the state. The issue being disputed is whether government funds should be used for the procedure and if there's a constitutional right to abortions in the state.

St. Luke's officials said Thursday that the family practice on Front Street in Hellertown is "at capacity."

A lack of educators, a retiring generation, and a pandemic that produced stress and burnout all have contributed to the shortage of health care workers, such as nurses. Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network are both focused on attracting new talent.

A local blood bank is urging new donors to give blood and existing donors to increase the number of times they give. Miller Keystone is also encouraging younger and more diverse people to take the time to donate blood.

A ribbon cutting was held for Counseling Solutions of the Lehigh Valley’s new location. The West Tilghman Street location offers bilingual drug and alcohol counseling.

A group of firefighters dressed as superheroes to brighten the day of pediatric patients at St. Luke's University Health Network. The group is called Humble Heroes of the Fire Department of the City of New York.

The cold winter weather can often lead to dry cracked skin. A Lehigh Valley skin care expert has some ways to fight the rough feeling on our outer layer.

Allentown's mayor and police chief are backing Sen. Bob Casey's legislative efforts to stop more fentanyl at the U.S./Mexico border.

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

Beltzville State Park in Carbon County has been a very popular spot this summer. In fact, some would say it’s too popular, as the park has been crowded with visitors from other states in the wake of the pandemic.

Governor Tom Wolf says his administration is learning better ways to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on Latinos in Pennsylvania.

The recent death of an infant in Berks County, who tested positive for COVID-19, is sparking questions about how the virus impacts the very young.

Some Lehigh Valley families struggling to make ends meet are being pushed into poverty by the pandemic and even more are at risk.

Friday was the deadline for mandatory universal coronavirus testing for Pennsylvania’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities - but officials said about one in five couldn’t meet that deadline.

A vigil for Black Trans Lives was held in Allentown yesterday to remember transgender people who have been murdered across the country, and raise their profile amid social justice protests.

An Eastern PA state fair came under fire this week after posting photos that have been described as transphobic, showing a man at a Bloomsburg carnival game dressed up as Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.

Pennsylvania homeowners and renters are protected from eviction and foreclosure until August 31.

Pennsylvania's ability to provide food assistance benefits without in-person interviews is set to expire July 31. Governor Tom Wolf is asking the federal government to extend waivers related to the program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two unions are suing the federal agency in charge of mine safety, demanding it impose emergency rules to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among coal miners.

Easton Hospital union employees are worried about their future. Just over two weeks ago St. Luke’s University Health Network announced the purchase of the Easton Hospital in Northampton County, from the Steward Medical Group.

The Lehigh Valley will move to the green phase of reopening next Friday, June 26.