Health & Wellness News

It's National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The state Health Department is encouraging parents to get their children tested and educating adults on how to minimize exposure.

Halloween can be dangerous for kids heading out in the dark and crossing streets. Choose bright-colored costumes or use reflective tape on costumes to keep children safe this Halloween — that’s the message from AAA East Central.

LehighValleyNews.com and PBS39 hosted a community conversation on interfaith relations amid the Israel-Hamas war. The program also contained advice on how to manage social media and speak to children about the unrest.

The device, made by Jmad Creations, aims to solve the problem of medical pulse oximeters that are not accurate when used on patients with dark-colored skin.

The kits will include a nasal dose of the spray along with how-to-use instructions. The health bureau says the kits will be available at hospitals, community centers and more.

The local American Red Cross chapter is looking for people to nominate local heroes for helping others. Nominations are open now through November for the Celebration of Heroes event in which they recognize community members, first responders and veterans.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said Bethlehem's strong fiscal position should allow it to continue grants funded by the American Rescue Plan, even after the federal money runs out.

The Bethlehem Running Festival half marathon and half marathon relay were Sunday. It was the second day of the festival, bringing thousands to the SteelStacks campus.

The inaugural Bethlehem Running Festival's first day brought a 5k and 10k race back to the Steelstacks campus and the City of Bethlehem. Runners embarked on a running tour of the city through fall foliage and braving the hills on the route. Organizers say they are happy with the event and excited for Sunday's half marathon.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with reporters Ryan Gaylor and Jason Addy.

Lehigh Valley Health Network held their annual Halloween party at the Children's Hospital. More than 100 children were expected to attend.

There are wide disparities on how much individual counties received.

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.

Although hospital officials say a change in location for medevac helicopter access is crucial during building of a new facility at the Anderson campus, some residents think there are more adjustments to be made.

“We're really trying to get ahead of it, so that we can nip this in the bud and avoid having a shortage as we move into the fall and over the holidays,” said Peter Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross, which covers the Lehigh Valley.