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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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.
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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.
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Lehigh Valley Health Network held their annual Halloween party at the Children's Hospital. More than 100 children were expected to attend.
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A bill aimed at allowing nurse practitioners to practice on their own is being touted in the state capital. State Sen. Lisa Boscola was in Harrisburg Tuesday showing support for Senate Bill 25 which would allow Nurse Practitioners full practice authority.
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Another pediatric emergency room now is open in the Lehigh Valley. St. Luke’s University Health Network on Monday opened the Isaacman Family Children’s Emergency Room, after establishing a children’s hospital this past June.
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The conflict in Israel has played out across social media. The graphic nature of the videos and stories can have an impact on your mental health, according to a Lehigh Valley therapist.
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Four seats are up for election on Hellertown Borough Council this fall. Three of those candidates already serve on council.
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The Kellyn foundation aims to bring healthier, more accessible food options to people in the area. Their mobile farmers market goes all year round and now they are working with local farms to help grow their operations.
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October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Local health care providers have a few options for those who can't afford dental work.
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'We will help you put those pieces': Funding awarded to nonprofit helping victims of sex traffickingFinancial assistance is on the way to help a Lehigh Valley nonprofit that assists women who have been sex trafficked. Bloom for Women can now make upgrades to the housing they offer and begin providing services to men and children with the money.
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A local oncologist is giving some insight into the cancer diagnosis of Kate Middleton. The St. Luke's doctor specializes in gastrointestinal cancers and talks about what the Princess of Wales could be experiencing.
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As Miller-Keystone Blood Center is set to no longer be the primary supplier of one of its largest customers, supporters are speaking out about what the nonprofit center has done for them. Blood donors, recipients and coordinators are sharing their life-saving stories.
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The women of Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown were hosted for a luncheon to culminate National Women’s Month. The women executives from Bear Creek Mountain Resort met with them to talk about women in leadership and business.
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St. Luke's University Health Network is offering a health and wellness program to businesses in the Lehigh Valley aimed at keeping employees safe. The program has already helped reduce the instances of workplace injuries.
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Psychedelic mushrooms are being studied by the medical community to treat issues like anxiety and depression. A Muhlenberg College professor is weighing in with where the research stands and if we could see the legalization of the drug anytime soon.
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New policy to combat systemic racism is in place at LVHN. The Valley's largest employer has new protocols in place following accusations of racism from a resident.
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Lehigh Valley Health Network and Lehigh County Drug & Alcohol are training high school and college students for medical careers. The program aims at bringing more support to the community to make it a safer place to live.
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An art show centered around mental health and disabilities is opening in an unlikely place. Midnight Gallery is in the showroom of Vollux Autowerks, a car repair and diagnostics shop in Lehigh County.
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A Carbon County woman is showing others that despite living with a traumatic brain injury, she still has a positive outlook. Ten years after her injury, she is doing things her mother never thought possible at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation in Allentown.
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A rectal cancer survivor is teaming up with a woman who lost her brother to colon cancer to get the word out about the importance of getting routine screenings. Colorectal cancer is very treatable when caught early enough.
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Prescription drug middlemen are being blamed by independent pharmacies for revenue decline, under-reimbursement, and financial strain. As more of the smaller shops shutter, local pharmacists are calling for reform.
