Brittany Sweeney
Health and wellness reporterI’m LehighValleyNews.com’s health and wellness reporter and also host “Living in the Lehigh Valley,” PBS39's health and wellness show. I have covered health-related topics for Lehigh Valley Public Media, contributing to PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR, since 2018. Winning the 2020 Emmy Award for Video Journalist is something I am proud of accomplishing while working for Lehigh Valley Public Media. I grew up in Montgomery County and I'm passionate about telling compelling stories in my home state of Pennsylvania. I'm a graduate of Temple University (go Owls!) and spent most of my career working as an anchor and reporter for NBC affiliates in Northeast Pennsylvania and Ohio. When I'm not covering news around the Lehigh Valley, I can be found exploring the great outdoors with my family. Contact me at BrittanyS@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8170.
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Nicotine pouches seem to be growing in popularity, especially among the younger generations. A local doctor weighs in on the risks of using this type of product. -
Some of the most beloved characters from the "Star Wars" movies paid a visit to the kids at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital. The fun was planned to start May the Fourth festivities early and bring a smile to the kids' faces.
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A bi-annual safety report for general hospitals ranks a portion of the Lehigh Valley as one of the best patient safety areas in the nation. The report grades the facilities on how well they prevent medical errors, accidents and infections.
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Allentown’s first ever Community Health Needs Assessment is out. Three areas have been identified as the highest priority and include loneliness and social isolation, safe, stable and affordable housing, and upward economic mobility.
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Avian influenza, called bird flu, is threatening poultry and dairy cows across the country. Now, local doctors are monitoring the situation closely because it could mutate and become more serious for humans.
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A local brain injury patient appeared at Home Care Lobby Day in the State Capitol this month to advocate for better wages for her home healthcare nurse. Wages for home health care employees are low and don't often get updates despite the cost of living going up.
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Various state agencies came together to promote drug take-back day this weekend. People can drop off unused or outdated prescription pills at designated drop-off locations.
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During Donate Life Month, organ recipients and donors share stories of how their lives changed following the organ donation process. Those waiting for an organ can wait on average five to seven years for a transplant.
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Muhlenberg College and Lehigh Valley Health Network are joining forces to provide a broader range of services to the schools attendees. Students will be able to see LVHN healthcare professionals for both primary and behavioral resources.
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If you thought flu season was winding down, think again. The Lehigh Valley is seeing an increase in influenza cases right now. A local doctor weighs in with what you need to know about the latest surge.
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Nigerian immigrant, Doris Ezomo has tapped into her pension to help others. She started a nursing school.
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St. Luke's University Health Network opened 6 pediatric specialty labs across the Lehigh Valley. The labs are designed to make children and their caregivers feel more at ease when receiving services.
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The city of Allentown is addressing the issue of period poverty. They launched an initiative to see how great the need is for menstrual products among those who live there.
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Lehigh University and St. Luke's University Health Network are working together to create a biomaterial that would help regenerate cartilage. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
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LVHN will be one of the first hospitals in Pennsylvania to treat prostate cancer with noninvasive robotic technology. The procedure is said to be more accurate and lowers the risk of side effects.
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The tripledemic rages on, but there are ways to lower your risk of infection. A health care administrator talks about what the industry and the public learned from the pandemic about preventing illness.
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A mom is releasing a book hoping to give hope to other parents following her infant’s cancer journey in the Lehigh Valley. Shari Ann Almeida’s daughter Dakota was diagnosed with leukemia at 6-months-old.
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A free dental clinic is being offered in Easton next month. Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley will provide free oral health care services at their Easton location.
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Lehigh Valley Health Network establishes a new partnership with a clinic offering resources to those with Down syndrome. The partnership is expected to add more variety to the care the patients receive.
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For the 15th year in a row, the region, including the Lehigh Valley, is being recognized for the most organ donations in the country. Gift of Life Donor Program aided in reaching that goal.
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Amanda Buss plans to resign as executive director from the Cancer Support Community of the Lehigh Valley. She’s stepping down to focus on her own health while battling cancer.
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Living a healthier lifestyle is one of the top new year's resolutions. A Good Shepherd physical therapy expert talks about how to avoid the “workout warrior” aches and pains and ease into a new routine.
