Health & Wellness News

Proposed federal budget cuts would impact programs such as the free summer meal program for children in the Allentown School District.

The $2.75 million payment to the federal government resolves allegations that a pharmacy technician stole controlled substances on about 40 occasions and the health network failed to institute proper controls.

Despite not being approved for human consumption, veterinary tranquilizers are infiltrating the illicit drug supply in Pennsylvania. Harm reduction specialists and health care professionals say these overdoses can't be approached solely with naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.

A generous donation from a Lehigh Valley native and others funds free swim lessons for children and adults in the River Crossing YMCA's Safety Around Water, or SAW, swim education program.

The bill would limit the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, beginning in 2026.

Xylazine, an animal-grade tranquilizer that's not approved for human use, has taken Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply by storm. Known on the streets as "tranq," it accounted for almost 1 in 4 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania by 2023. Last year in Lehigh County, it was a contributing cause of death in 20 of the 112 deadly overdoses, or 17.9 percent of cases.

The funding comes from the commonwealth’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Known as "tranq" on the streets, an animal tranquilizer named xylazine infiltrated drug supplies throughout Pennsylvania since 2019. Its presence in the Lehigh Valley has grown, with deadly consequences.

With the Lehigh Valley under an extreme heat warning through Wednesday, area doctors are urging residents to keep hydrated and stay cool.

The U.S. Senate could vote on the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act this week. If passed, millions of Americans would lose access to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in order to fund border security and tax cuts to wealthy Americans.

The anti-violence program is funded through a $1.28 million grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program will continue next school year.

The Neighborhood Center and Andre Reed Foundation are partnering to kick off the season with an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 344 N. 7th St.

St. Luke's University Health Network built a two-story orthopedic hospital. Patients will be able to receive same-day surgery on their knees, hips, spine, hands and shoulders, among other injuries.

The appointment of Vicki Doulé as head of Capital Blue Cross' Lehigh Valley operations reunites her with the company where she previously worked for 23 years.

In a recent national report, Pennsylvania received a failing grade in its regulation and treatment of lead in schools’ water. Six local schools have reported unacceptable levels of lead since 2018, and one expert says some of the remediation methods they used are less than perfect.

Parents who say they were falsely accused of medical child abuse protested again Sunday outside Lehigh Valley Health Network's Cedar Crest campus.

For the 26th consecutive year, LVHN will provide flu shots to adults and children aged 6 months and older during two drive-thru clinics in November.

A mental health summit at St. Luke's hosted healthcare workers, legislators, and community members. The panel addressed issues treating mental health problems and how to work towards fixing the crisis.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with reporters Tom Shortell and Julian Abraham.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) reached an affiliation agreement. The two have worked together before, but the healthcare providers say this will ensure patients get the care they need closest to home.

Laura Brady is hosting a reception on Friday, Sept. 22.

A new value-based primary care center opened in Allentown this week. It’s the second Oak Street Health location in the Lehigh Valley, following a Bethlehem opening in June.

The governor recently committed to reviewing data that will help to attract and retain aides for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. However, the advocacy group Bayada Hearts for Home Care is calling for more to be done for people who serve those with physical disabilities and seniors.

New Bethany Executive Director Marc Rittle said the nonprofit's demographic is becoming younger, and many are not actually experiencing homelessness.