FDA approval of Wegovy could give millions on Medicare access to weight-loss drug

Philly Voice (Health) 4/24 7:41A Courtenay Harris Bond

The Food and Drug Administration's approval the use of Wegovy for reducing risk of heart attack and stroke could allow approximately 3.6 million Medicare recipients to gain access to the popular weight-loss drug, according to a new analysis.

When does old age begin? Perceptions on aging have shifted

Philly Voice (Health) 4/22 8:53A Franki Rudnesky

Today's adults believe people reach old age about three years later than previous generations did, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association. The research also found perceptions on aging different by gender and the...

Medicare's push to improve chronic care attracts businesses, but not many doctors

Philly Voice (Health) 4/19 9:01A Phil Galewitz and Holly K. Hacke

Medicare's Chronic Care Management service reduces emergency room and inpatient hospital visits and lowers total health spending, but uptake has been sluggish. Just 4% of eligible enrollees participate, and only 12,000 doctors billed under the...

Removing PFAS from public water systems will cost billions and take time

Philly Voice (Health) 4/19 7:59A Kyle Doudrick, University of Not

The Environmental Protection Agency in April finalized the first enforceable federal limits for six types of PFAS in drinking water systems. Meeting these new limits won't be easy or cheap. But there are ways that people can reduce PFAS in their...

Listen to your head…but listen to your gut, too

Philly Voice (Health) 4/19 3:55A The IBX Insights Team

Did you know that there’s a “second brain” living in your gut? While it might not be responsible for developing thoughts and ideas, it does control the release of enzymes and chemicals that support digestion, control blood flow, and help your...

Healthy Recipe: Apple Blackberry Oat Muffins

Philly Voice (Health) 4/18 6:15A Jackie Gentilesco, For Independe

Try a delicious new recipe!

A new job benefit aims to help Philly workers improve their well-being

Philly Voice (Health) 4/17 8:27A Courtenay Harris Bond

The 26,000 city workers in Philadelphia now have access to On the Goga, a corporate wellness platform that offers workshops on stress reduction, healthy recipes, desk yoga classes, guided meditation and other resources that encourage healthy...

Achieving equity in kidney care

Philly Voice (Health) 4/17 5:25A Dr. Seun Ross, DNP, CRNP-F, NP-C

The more we all work together, the faster we can dismantle racial bias in medicine.

A Temple Hospital worker needed a kidney transplant. When the call finally came, his colleague...

Philly Voice (Health) 4/16 10:47A Courtenay Harris Bond

Julian Harmon, a perioperative services assistant at Temple University Hospital, received word that he was up for a kidney transplant in January 2023. Within hours, his colleague, Dr. Kenneth Chavin, was performing the surgery. One year later,...

Laughter may be the best medicine

Philly Voice (Health) 4/16 7:57A The IBX Insights Team

While you should always take your mental and physical health seriously with appropriate medical treatment, finding opportunities to laugh is a great way to help yourself through tough times.

People with obesity may benefit most when exercise is done in the evening

Philly Voice (Health) 4/15 10:14A Franki Rudnesky

Working out in the evening may be linked to a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, microvascular disease and premature death among people with obesity, according to a new study. The study of nearly 30,000 adults with obesity also found the...

Exceptional nurses can be nominated to receive IBX's Sunshine Award

Philly Voice (Health) 4/15 7:31A PhillyVoice Staff

Independence Blue Cross will honor three outstanding nurses with through its annual 'Celebrate Caring' campaign. The winners will receive the health insurer's Sunshine Award and $500 gift cards. IBX also will donate $2,500 to the charities of...

Understanding the importance of kidney health

Philly Voice (Health) 4/12 10:42A Peter Key, sponsored by Independ

When you think of your vital organs, you probably think of your heart and lungs. But your kidneys also play a big role in how your body functions.

CDC investigates botulism-like illnesses linked to possibly fake Botox injections

Philly Voice (Health) 4/12 10:17A Courtenay Harris Bond

People in several states have developed Botulism-like illnesses after receiving possibly fake Botox injections outside medical settings, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the matter. Botulism can lead to...

As bans spread, fluoride in drinking water divides communities across the U.S.

Philly Voice (Health) 4/12 6:10A Melba Newsome, KFF Health News

Hundreds of U.S. communities have stopped adding fluoride to their water supplies or voted to prevent its addition. Supporters of such bans argue that people should be given the freedom of choice, noting the broad availability of dental products...