Health & Wellness News

The latest COVID booster was approved for people 6 months and older this week. A local doctor says not everyone should get it.

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is working to combat mental health problems made worse by the pandemic. It’s launching the “UNITED for Mental Health” campaign.

Hellertown's planning commission pushed a plan for a new LVHN micro-hospital at the old Champion spark plug facility Tuesday night, with the potential for construction to begin later this year.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released its report of the most challenging places to live with asthma. The release coincides with peak asthma season in September.

The "Margaritaville" singer died from Merkel cell carcinoma, according to his sister. Now, a Lehigh Valley doctor explains signs, symptoms and preventative measures.

WLVR's Christine Dempsey talks with reporters Olivia Marble and Julian Abraham.

Parents accused of medical child abuse, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, criticized the doctor they say is behind the false claims against them, and asked Northampton County to intervene.

A suicide prevention bench was dedicated to Moravian University. Students lined up to participate in the unveiling.

The illicit drugs circulating locally are causing a public health emergency, according to a local doctor. A doctor from Lehigh Valley Health Network is part of of a 5-year study that determines what is in the drug supply in the area.

The Bethlehem Running Festival has added a half-marathon relay to its inaugural event on Oct. 21-22.

A brain injury conference this weekend will feature brain injury survivors and medical professionals at the first-time event. Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network’s Mind Your Brain Foundation Lehigh Valley Conference is free.

Nine million Medicare recipients paid $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket expenses for 10 drugs now up for price negotiations, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild said. The deal struck over the drug costs will benefit Americans of all ages, she said.

The bill has bipartisan co-sponsors but a House Republican spokesperson says it is not a priority this fall.

Roughly one in 10 people in the Valley rely on monthly food bank visits, the United Way says.

Another vaccine mandate deadline is approaching for employees of one Lehigh Valley health system.

The low-impact sport is a cross between tennis, ping pong and badminton.

More meals and a lag between delivery and reimbursement compound the problem.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has announced that the Pennsylvania Opioid Command Center will be revamped.

Penn State is requiring all University Park campus employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 8 to comply with President Joe Biden’s executive order, the university announced Tuesday.

Staffing shortages and hiring incentives already were in play. Then the pandemic hit.

A cursory glance at September COVID-19 data from Pennsylvania’s health department might lead some to conclude the vaccines are far less effective than they actually are, but a deeper look at who is vaccinated and who isn't paints a different picture.

Researchers around the world and in the commonwealth are looking into the therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs. The use of certain substances are deeply rooted in Latin America’s Pre-Columbian societies and could be part of the future of psychiatric treatment.

At hospitals around Pennsylvania, there are now fewer available intensive care unit beds than at any point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Pennsylvania Health Department.

In the first 10 months of the pandemic, Pennsylvania saw a significant increase in child fatalities and near-fatalities stemming from abuse and neglect.