Health & Wellness News

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.

1 in 4 menstruating students in the Allentown School District have missed class time because of the lack of access to period products. Funding for free menstrual products for students was approved in the 2024-2025 state budget.

The merger of Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson Health is now complete. The two closed the deal Thursday morning, creating a regional hospital system that oversees 30 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient care sites.

The Lehigh County coroner says the average age of people dying from suicide is getting older. He says his office is tracking the data in an effort to provide more outreach efforts.

Deli meat company Boar's Head has recalled 7 million more pounds of meats potentially affected by a listeria outbreak less than a week after the initial recall.

An Easton-area couple brought home numerous medals from the 2024 Transplant Games of America. They are among seven athletes from Northampton and Lehigh counties who participated.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a new law that will regulate pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. It's intended to save local pharmacies from closing and save patients money on prescription medications.

Allentown School District will partner with Valley Health Partners Community Vision Center during the 2024-25 academic year to offer students comprehensive eye exams. More than 2,300 students failed vision tests last year.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild touted her bill that she says would protect fertility rights. She held a news conference at the nation's Capitol on World IVF Day this week.

According to Oasis founder Rhonda Miller, the nonprofit agency has assisted around 3,800 participants annually in various groups, programs and events. That number represents about 500 unique families, she said.

Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton have teamed up with Lehigh Valley Health Network to make the Lehigh Valley a Blue Zone. The initiative was launched this week and will take the next few years to earn the certification.

Tick season is here, and there seem to be more of the little buggers. Doctors say they already are seeing patients with tick-related illnesses this year.

The event featured 35 local vendors selling vegetarian and vegan products as well as free workout classes and a live recipe demo.

A Lehigh Valley dietitian says a plant-based diet is a great way to live a healthier lifestyle. She offers a few ways to begin incorporating those food choices.

Six ambulances were dispatched at 9:30 a.m. this morning to the school, which remained closed for the day

Stephen S. Tang, a renowned business leader and entrepreneur, joined us for an insightful discussion about his time leading OraSure — the Bethlehem-based diagnostic testing kit company — through the global pandemic as it developed the InteliSwab Covid-19 Rapid Test.

Community leaders gathered to walk around — literally — and brainstorm ways to make things safer for those who don't drive. The effort will last into the fall and involves several communities in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The short-term rehabilitation at Gracedale is accepting patients. The county run nursing home just revamped the 32-bed unit.

The race returned for a second-straight year after a two-year layoff because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 2,000 runners entered for Sunday's events and over 400 children participated Saturday. See the top finishers.

The races are expected to close streets from about 8-11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Behavioral health services are moving from the current Allentown VA clinic. Veterans will soon receive mental health treatment at a new office.

“Leading Disruption: A Health-Care Innovation Summit” will take place this Saturday featuring speakers from around the country. Good Shepherd is opening the conference to employees as well as the community.

Hasshan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley, has been named a Fulbright Specialist. He will travel abroad to share his expertise with other countries in areas of violence prevention and health care.