As pickleball has surged in popularity, so have eye injuries

Philly Voice (Health) 10/21 7:38A Courtenay Harris Bond

Pickleball-related eye injuries have surged in recent years, alongside a rise in the sport's popularity. The number of eye injuries resulting from the sport is not high, but the injuries can be severe, a new study says.

Peanut allergies have declined since doctors began recommending early exposure

Philly Voice (Health) 10/20 8:05A Kristin Hunt

Peanut and other immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergies have dropped since doctors began recommending children be exposed to allergens as babies, a new study from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds.

Better health literacy means better preventive care

Philly Voice (Health) 10/19 3:49A Lia Scalzo, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CMI

Did you know that understanding health information better can help us lead healthier lives? As a Population Health Specialist at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), I see every day how much knowing more about our health really matters. One important...

Receiving gene therapy for hemophilia changed this South Jersey man's life

Philly Voice (Health) 10/16 10:17A Courtenay Harris Bond

Receiving gene therapy for hemophilia at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia changed the life of Domenic Catrine, a senior at Montclair State University in New Jersey. He no longer has to do weekly infusions of medication to help his blood...

Championing mental health in the workplace

Philly Voice (Health) 10/16 8:23A Dr. Ryan Connolly, M.D., M.S., f

Supporting employee mental and behavioral health is a business imperative. Organizations that make this support a priority not only improve employee well-being but also protect the long-term health and success of their business.

How to enroll in an Independence Blue Cross health insurance plan

Philly Voice (Health) 10/15 9:22A The IBX Insights Team

We know health insurance can be complicated. That’s why we try to make it easy to find a health plan that works for you.

ADHD fosters creativity due to a tendency to let the mind wander, study shows

Philly Voice (Health) 10/15 6:25A Courtenay Harris Bond

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is linked to greater creativity, new research shows. The tendency to let the mind wander — a trait of ADHD — fosters creativity. The finding could have practical implications for the education and treatment...

Social media use hurts preteens' development of reading and memory skills

Philly Voice (Health) 10/14 7:19A Courtenay Harris Bond

Children who increasingly used social media over multiple years scored worse on reading and memory tests than those who consumed little or no social media, a new study finds. The researchers say their findings underscore a need for more stringent...

Opioid used by millions for pain management only has 'slight effect,' study warns

Philly Voice (Health) 10/8 7:17A Courtenay Harris Bond

Tramadol, a common opioid, is only slightly effective at treating chronic pain, a new study says. It also puts people at higher risk for adverse cardiac events including congestive heart failure.

How aromatherapy works and what it can do for you

Philly Voice (Health) 10/8 5:52A Peter Key, sponsored by Independ

Scents can influence the way you feel, both mentally and physically. That’s the idea behind aromatherapy, a practice that uses essential oils to help reduce stress, boost mood, and support overall well-being. Some people use it to relax before...

How much sleep do children get? Not as much as their parents think

Philly Voice (Health) 10/7 6:28A Courtenay Harris Bond

The vast majority of children in the U.S. are sleeping less than their parents think, new research show. Most children are also not getting the recommended amount of sleep.

Long-term study on HPV vaccinations finds evidence of herd immunity

Philly Voice (Health) 10/1 6:37A Courtenay Harris Bond

A 17-year study on HPV vaccinations found evidence of herd immunity. As vaccination rates against HPV rose from 2006 to 2023, infections even among unvaccinated women declined significantly, researchers say.

Having multiple tattoos may help guard against most dangerous type of skin cancer, study finds

Philly Voice (Health) 9/30 7:48A Courtenay Harris Bond

People with multiple tattoos have a lower risk of melanoma, a new study finds. But the research also found that people with one tattoo were at higher risk of melanoma.

Mindfulness won't burn calories, but it might help you stick with your health goals

Philly Voice (Health) 9/28 6:16A Masha Remskar, Arizona State Uni

People who meditate regularly become more inherently motivated to look after their health, which is a hallmark of those who adhere to a balanced diet and exercise regularly, research shows.

Family’s journey highlights the impact of Blood Cancer United

Philly Voice (Health) 9/25 8:11A Peter Key, sponsored by Blood Ca

In many ways, Zach Montag is a typical suburban Philadelphia 13-year-old. He’s in seventh grade, has been taking karate classes, and likes swimming, ice skating and rock climbing.