Marriage provides health benefits – and here's why

Philly Voice (Health) 1/28 12:05A Libby Richards, Melissa Franksan

Marriage provides an array of health benefits, including a sense of belonging, more opportunities for social engagement and reduced feelings of loneliness. Research shows married people eat better and are less likely to smoke and drink...

Bivalent boosters offer protection against the latest COVID-19 variant, CDC study finds

Philly Voice (Health) 1/26 8:24A Tracey Romero

The bivalent booster shots nearly cut in half the risk of symptomatic infection caused by XBB.1.5, the latest COVID-19 variant, according to a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Still, only 15% of Americans have...

Millions of Americans rely on sleeping pills to fall asleep, but doctors say they're a short-term...

Philly Voice (Health) 1/25 3:56P Tracey Romero

More than 8% of American adults take sleeping pills on most nights, with seniors the most likely age group to use them, according to a new survey findings released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Doctors say the pills are...

As the FDA seeks to limit lead levels in baby food, here's what parents should know about toxic...

Philly Voice (Health) 1/25 10:25A Tracey Romero

As the FDA seeks to limit lead levels in baby food, here's how parents can reduce their infants' exposure now

Want to live longer? Eating a plant-heavy diet is a proven method

Philly Voice (Health) 1/25 8:10A Louis Bezich

People who follow diets built around whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes reduce their chances of dying from cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory and neurodegenerative conditions, according to new research published by the...

To reduce tobacco use, Pennsylvania and New Jersey need to do much more, report says

Philly Voice (Health) 1/25 5:18A Maggie Mancini

The American Lung Association's 2023 "State of Tobacco Control" report graded Pennsylvania and New Jersey poorly for their efforts to reduce smoking and vaping. The annual report graded all 50 states in five areas: tobacco prevention, smoke-free...

How much people exercise may affect their risk of respiratory infections, research shows

Philly Voice (Health) 1/24 4:14P Tracey Romero

Regular exercise of moderate intensity is associated with a decreased risk of respiratory infections, like influenza, COVID-19 and the common cold, research shows. But too much exercise appears to make people more vulnerable to illness. And...

Does UV light from nail dryers increase the risk of skin cancer? Scientists aren't yet sure

Philly Voice (Health) 1/24 10:05A Tracey Romero

The UV light dryers used to harden gel manicures can damage DNA and cause skin mutations, a new study finds. But it remains unclear whether the cosmetic treatments increase the risk of skin cancer, as sun exposure and tanning beds do....

Plaque psoriasis: Incurable but manageable

Philly Voice (Health) 1/24 2:48A Peter Key, Sponsored by Independ

Psoriasis treatments have been a staple of TV advertising for nearly 50 years. That’s because the skin disease is relatively widespread throughout the United States. .

Cold weather brings itchy, irritated, dry and scaly skin. Here's how to treat it

Philly Voice (Health) 1/23 8:43A Sonal Choudhary and Jeffrey Chen

Winter weather can cause various skin conditions to worsen or develop, including eczema, chilblains, Raynaud's phenomenon, cold urticaria and cold panniculitis. Here's how (and when) to treat these conditions on your own and when to see a...

Sickle cell disease: Improved outlook, but ongoing challenges for patients

Philly Voice (Health) 1/23 5:04A Peter Key, Sponsored by Independ

Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of disorders that cause some red blood cells to be misshaped and sticky. This limits their ability to easily move through blood cells and carry oxygen throughout the body.

Why It Is Easier Than Ever To Eat Well and Stay Healthy Even If Your Cooking Skills Aren’t Up To...

PhillyBite Healthy 1/23 3:42A PhillyBite.com@gmail.com (Philly

Philadelphia, PA - Eating well isn’t always easy. If you live alone or live a hectic lifestyle and are working all hours of the day, you may not have the skills, time, or inclination to consider what...

Will your smartphone be the next doctor's office?

Philly Voice (Health) 1/20 4:28P Hannah Norman, Kaiser Health New

Doctors and their patients have found some real-world success in deploying smartphones as medical devices, but the overall potential remains unfulfilled and uncertain. Phone apps have the power to help assess people for concussions, watch for...

The NFL has been slow to embrace mental health support for players

Philly Voice (Health) 1/20 4:16P Mark Kreidler, Kaiser Health New

The NFL implemented a formal program to manage its employees' mental health needs in 2019, but it lacks continuity of care from team to team. Some franchises have full-time sports psychologists; others employ clinicians part time, while a few...

Obesity blunts the benefits of vitamin D supplements, research shows

Philly Voice (Health) 1/20 4:41A Tracey Romero

New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital offers a deeper explanation of how vitamin D levels can be affected by obesity. People with high body mass indexes have reduced responses to vitamin D supplements, which have been shown to help...