Health & Wellness News

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.

Lehigh Valley Health Network opens an employee child care center in Bethlehem, across from LVHN Muhlenberg. The River Crossing YMCA will run the program.

News Director Jen Rehill talks with journalists Tom Shortell and Brittany Sweeney.

The Easton Area High School student is under a doctor's care, officials said. Whooping cough, or pertussis, spreads easily from person to person and outbreaks can occur in schools, child care centers and hospitals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of people developing cancer is on the rise, but the survival rate is also going up according to the American Cancer Society. Doctors believe there are two contributing factors.

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court made a ruling pertaining to abortion rights across the state. The issue being disputed is whether government funds should be used for the procedure and if there's a constitutional right to abortions in the state.

St. Luke's officials said Thursday that the family practice on Front Street in Hellertown is "at capacity."

A lack of educators, a retiring generation, and a pandemic that produced stress and burnout all have contributed to the shortage of health care workers, such as nurses. Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network are both focused on attracting new talent.

A local blood bank is urging new donors to give blood and existing donors to increase the number of times they give. Miller Keystone is also encouraging younger and more diverse people to take the time to donate blood.

A ribbon cutting was held for Counseling Solutions of the Lehigh Valley’s new location. The West Tilghman Street location offers bilingual drug and alcohol counseling.

A group of firefighters dressed as superheroes to brighten the day of pediatric patients at St. Luke's University Health Network. The group is called Humble Heroes of the Fire Department of the City of New York.

The cold winter weather can often lead to dry cracked skin. A Lehigh Valley skin care expert has some ways to fight the rough feeling on our outer layer.

Allentown's mayor and police chief are backing Sen. Bob Casey's legislative efforts to stop more fentanyl at the U.S./Mexico border.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.