Flu season is near – here's a guide to available vaccines

Philly Voice (Health) 10/10 11:00P Annette Regan, University of Cal

Vaccination provides the best protection against influenza. Several safe and effective vaccines are available this season, including a new mRNA shot for people 50 and older and a nasal spray for those who don't like needles.

Your cells keep a record of every workout you’ve ever done – and those gains persist even after a...

Philly Voice (Health) 10/9 11:00P Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, Univer

Scientists have long understood exercise as something whose beneficial effects fade away over time. But new research is challenging that notion.

Chester County high school is closed Friday due to measles case

Philly Voice (Health) 10/9 4:04A Molly McVety

Oxford Area High School in Chester County is closed Friday because a measles case was confirmed in its school community. The school is confirming the immunity documentation of its staffers. Anyone who is unvaccinated against measles cannot return...

Studying dementia in dogs may provide clues for Alzheimer's treatment

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 11:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

The brains of dogs with dementia have striking similarities to the brains of humans with dementia, a finding that may help advance the research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, a new study says.

Fish in the Wissahickon Creek basin have unsafe levels of forever chemicals, officials warn

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 10:11A Kristin Hunt

Pennsylvania health and environmental officials issued a 'do not eat' advisory for all fish species in the Wissahickon Creek basin in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties after detecting unsafe PFOS levels.

Heart failure has more than doubled among younger adults in recent decades

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 8:48A Courtenay Harris Bond

Heart failure rates more than doubled among young adults in the United States in recent decades, a new report shows. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans will develop heart failure during their lives, and the rate is projected to continue rising.

Menopause is a major health milestone, yet health records barely track it, new research finds

Philly Voice (Health) 10/3 11:00P Audrey Hendricks and Nanette San

An analysis of the electronic medical records of almost 240,000 women found that only 12% included mention of menopause, even though more than half the women reported separately that they were experiencing this transition. The findings reveal a...

Pennsylvania House panel advances bill to regulate kratom

Philly Voice (Health) 10/2 11:00P Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital

A panel of Pennsylvania House members advanced a bill Tuesday that would allow the sale of some kratom products to continue in the state, while banning others and creating stricter regulations for sellers.

Adopting healthy habits at 50 can lead to a longer, disease-free life. Here's a playbook to get...

Philly Voice (Health) 10/1 11:00P Louis Bezich

A man who adopts consistent healthy lifestyle habits at age 50 can add about eight disease-free years to his life, research shows. Here's a playbook for adopting healthy habits.

Prescriptions for Valium, Xanax and other benzodiazepines have steeply declined

Philly Voice (Health) 10/1 10:35A Courtenay Harris Bond

Benzodiazepine prescriptions dropped by 27% from 2013 to 2024, a Rutgers University study shows. The decline may be due to more stringent prescribing practices enacted in response to the opioid epidemic. Benzodiazepines have been mixed with...

Running hard isn't always necessary —slow jogging has health benefits, too

Philly Voice (Health) 9/29 11:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

Slow jogging has physical and mental health benefits. Running at a 'niko niko' or 'smiling' pace boosts mood, endurance and strength, research shows. Here's how to do it.

After years of falling, infant mortality rates are rising again, and racial disparities are...

Philly Voice (Health) 9/29 7:54A Courtenay Harris Bond

Sudden unexplained infant deaths are a major contributor to the increase in infant mortality rates and widening racial disparities, new research shows. The study suggests that an increase in SUID among Black infants in recent years grew more than...

Fishtown man is biking from Indiana to Pittsburgh to raise money for cancer research

Philly Voice (Health) 9/28 11:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

Danny Lai, 30, of Fishtown, is biking from Indiana to Pittsburgh as part of Bristol Myers Squibb's Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride. The collaborative effort seeks to raise $1 million for V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Know an unsung hero? The Flyers and IBX are looking to honor volunteers this hockey season

Philly Voice (Health) 9/28 11:03A PhillyVoice Staff

The Flyers and Independence Blue Cross will recognize six volunteers who are making a difference in their communities through their new IBX Caring MVPs program. Volunteers can be nominated through Oct. 23.

Fiber is both diet fad and fixture for good health

Philly Voice (Health) 9/26 11:00P Jean Liew, Boston University

High-fiber diets are linked to significant health benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer, as well as improved arthritis symptoms. But there remains a significant fiber gap in the typical American diet.