Health & Wellness News

Reporter Brittany Sweeney's dishwasher recently caught fire. She tells how a smoke detector and extinguisher made all the difference

A recently released hospital performance report shows a significant increase in hospital mortality rates from 2017 to 2022. The Pennsylvania Health Care Coalition on Cost Containment releases the report each year.

A Muhlenberg College professor has launched a campaign this month to inform residents about the health risks of radon, as well as improve access to testing and mitigation. The Lehigh Valley is home to the highest radon levels ever recorded in Pennsylvania.

A comprehensive review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine of scientific research looked at the health effects of cannabis and its compounds for a range of conditions.

PPL Electric Utilities offers tips to customers designed to keep them safe and warm during the winter season.

The CEO of St. Luke's University Health Network addressed the potential merger of competitor Lehigh Valley Health Network with Jefferson Health. CEO Rick Anderson sent a message to St. Luke's thousands of employees.

Is it COVID-19, RSV, or the flu? Doctors are saying it could be any of the three or even whooping cough. Respiratory illnesses are on the rise following the holiday season and there may not be a reprieve for a while.

January is National Radon Action Month, and officials from the American Lung Association are offering a limited supply of free radon test kits for commonwealth residents, including those in the the Lehigh Valley.

Resources for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren are limited. A Pennsylvania nonprofit is working to change that in the new year.

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.

The 75,000-square-foot St. Luke’s Sportsplex features more than two dozen indoor courts and almost the same number outside.

The most popular names have been a constant the past few years, according to the major health networks. But one trend that emerged in 2023 in the Lehigh Valley seems to be tied to sports — specifically, the success and popularity of the Philadelphia Phillies. Taylor Swift also may be having an impact.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's governor is calling for mandated race and ethnicity data collection in COVID-19 cases across the state. That’s because…

Stimulus checks are popping up in mailboxes and bank accounts across the Lehigh Valley. Although some may be tempted to splurge — WLVR’s Brittany Sweeney spoke to a financial expert about smart ways to make it last.

The Lehigh Valley will not be among the first areas of the state to reopen next month. Governor Tom Wolf outlined more details on the plan for Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 22 and as WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports, it will move forward in three phases: red, yellow and green.

Pennsylvania’s liquor control board is ramping up operations to try and meet demand for online orders.

In many ways, Dr. Rachel Levine has become the face of the COVID-19 crisis in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has new mandatory protections for workers employed at essential businesses with in-person operations.

As coronavirus cases spike in nursing homes across the Lehigh Valley, state health officials are reporting that about half of all COVID-19-related deaths are in Pennsylvania’s long term care facilities.

Reports of child abuse and neglect have fallen significantly in the Lehigh Valley and across the state but it’s not a good sign for children in a time of social distancing.

State officials say Pennsylvania seniors should stock up on their medications now -- and should have them delivered to avoid going out.

A patient with coronavirus in the Lehigh Valley has died. This marks the first death in Pennsylvania.

Telemedicine companies across the country are reporting unprecedented volumes of patients wanting to use their remotely accessible services. Health officials are encouraging patients with suspected coronavirus symptoms to audio or video call rather than possibly infect others by physically visiting a doctor’s office or emergency room.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the statewide shutdown of all nonessential government offices and businesses to help prevent spread of coronavirus.