Health & Wellness News

News Director Jen Rehill talks with journalists Tom Shortell and Brittany Sweeney.

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.

A new mental health clinic in Bethlehem is acknowledging World Mental Health Day by letting people know about their services.

Weight loss medications, such as Ozempic, Wagovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, are rapidly growing in popularity. A Lehigh Valley physician weighs in on what patients need to know before they start the drugs.

The Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley offers mental health counseling to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and robbery. They also work with the families of murder victims.

The fall sick season is upon us, so a local nurse is urging people to get vaccinated now so they don't get severely ill later.

Howie Day, whose 2004 song "Collide" sold four times platinum and helped his album "Stop All the World Now" reach platinum sales, will perform at the free annual Harvest Fest street fair. The event will be noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Main and Broad streets.

A holistic health and wellness fair was hosted by the Preventive Measures Foundation. The nonprofit aims to bring mental health care and other services to those who need it most.

The playground cleanup at Stevens Park in Allentown is only one aspect of a collective mission to make all parks safe havens for the community.

A couple from Easton who are in the midst of moving their business down to North Carolina are amassing contributions of necessities to deliver directly to victims of Hurricane Helene in their new community.

A new $60,000 grant in Bethlehem will provide both necessary training for police departments countywide and related equipment for Project Lifesaver — a training and search and rescue operation run locally through the city Health Bureau.

The next phase of construction is under way on a new Lehigh Valley behavioral health hospital as the last steel beam was placed Tuesday. The new facility will have 144 beds.

Local Red Cross volunteers are in Florida helping with Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The Lehigh Valley chapter's executive director says this one is different than other storm system cleanups he's witnessed.

The President and CEO of Miller-Keystone Blood Center is retiring. A new leader has been chosen and he's no stranger to the organization.