Health & Wellness News

An eight-year-old girl dealing with a congenital heart condition cut the ribbon at Lehigh Valley Zoo to announce the American Heart Association of Greater Lehigh Valley and Berks County annual Heart Walk in September.

“A Community Conversation: Path to a Healthier Valley” starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, and can also be watched streaming online on PBS39.org. The hourlong program touches on efforts to make the region a so-called "Blue Zone."

The health of the Lehigh Valley is improving, but there is room to grow according to health experts. They are sharing where residents need to do better and how to get there.

A cheaper, needle-free alternative to the EpiPen will soon be available following FDA approval. Neffy is a epinephrine nasal spray that can treat anaphylaxis.

The CDC has reported over 400 cases of salmonella across 31 states and the District of Columbia, including 60 cases in Pennsylvania.

Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson Health merged to become a regional provider on August 1st. The law firm that helped seal the deal explains what went into making that happen.

The American Red Cross and Miller-Keystone Blood Bank are urging people to give blood to avoid a critically low situation. A summer slump and severe weather has impacted donations.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is launching a clinical trial for a pancreatic cancer vaccine. A handful of hospitals across the country are part of the second phase of the study.

Two well-known health care companies in the Lehigh Valley will continue their relationship for years to come. St. Luke's University Health Network and Capital Blue Cross agreed to continue to work together to insure the hospital network's employees.

The Preventive Measures Foundation awarded $25,000 in community grants to local nonprofits. The money is set to be used for programs that foster mental well-being in both kids and adults.

Coronavirus cases have spiked over the past few weeks — nationally and locally — putting people at risk for long COVID. The condition can have people feeling tired and sick for more than three months.

A listeria outbreak has a major food company recalling deli meats across the county, including here in the Lehigh Valley. An infectious disease doctor explains the signs and symptoms of the foodborne illness.

Celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, who now leads the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is scheduled to speak Friday during the Lehigh Valley Healthcare Summit. Local transgender advocacy groups are urging officials to cancel it.

The services are first-come, first-served with no ID or insurance required, according to a news release from event care provider Remote Area Medical.

The family of Renna Marra, who has Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, is raising funds for a trained guide dog to help Renna with tasks as mobility assistance, behavioral calming and social communication.

The City of Allentown has partnered with Blue Zones Project-Allentown to promote no drinking and driving during the holiday season.

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides vouchers to low-income seniors and others. Last year in Lehigh and Northampton counties, only 24,063 vouchers out of 52,462 distributed to seniors and WIC recipients were redeemed, according to program figures. That's just over a 45% redemption rate.

Located between Main and Front streets, the one-story, 15,000-square-foot building on about 1.5 acres is planned to become the new home of St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Saucon Valley Family Practice.

The SAFECHAT Act would implement safeguards to protect minors from chatbots that could push them to engage in self-harm, suicide or sexually explicit behavior.

Members of the Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force and community partners came to Moravian University Friday to educate students first-hand on how being distracted or impaired can severely impact the ability to drive safely.

Federal health officials say 31 babies in 15 states have been sickened in a growing outbreak of infantile botulism tied to ByHeart infant formula. ByHeart recalled all of its products sold throughout the U.S. No deaths have been reported. Health officials say parents and caregivers who have the formula in their homes should stop using it immediately and dispose of the product. Botulism is a rare but serious disease that can cause paralysis and death. Symptoms can take weeks to develop. The most recent case was reported Nov. 11.

In just two weeks time, 75 businesses, organizations and individuals contributed $677,000 to address food insecurity throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Easton City Council approved a resolution that will let the city seek a $750,000 grant to help in the rehabilitation of the Heil Park Pool on South Side.

For this year’s event, set for Sunday, officials are cutting out single-use water bottles and trading plastic medal packaging for paper, among other sustainability initiatives.