Health & Wellness News

Coronavirus cases have spiked over the past few weeks — nationally and locally — putting people at risk for long COVID. The condition can have people feeling tired and sick for more than three months.

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.

Families in the Allentown School District will be on the receiving end of new computer monitors. Capital Blue Cross teamed up with other area organizations to get the technology into the hands of those who need it.

Latino Connection will hold its annual health summit April 19 -20 at Wind Creek Event Center.

Dr. Jay Talsania is an orthopedic hand surgeon at OAA Orthopedic Specialists in Upper Macungie. In April, the physician will head to Guatemala once again to offer free health care to children in the third-world country.

The Northeast part of the country is seeing a surge in norovirus cases. A doctor in the Lehigh Valley explains what it is, how to avoid it, and ways to get through it.

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.

CVS and Walgreens pharmacies announced they will begin offering mifepristone, an abortion drug, through their brick-and-mortar locations in certain states, including Pennsylvania, starting in March 2024.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with journalists Ryan Gaylor and Brittany Sweeney.

Last month, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild introduced legislation that would codify access to IVF treatments across the country. Following a controversial Alabama Supreme Court ruling, the bill finds itself at the center of debate in the nation's capital.

The president and CEO of Miller-Keystone Blood Center sent an email to staff about what he calls the "truth" about Lehigh Valley Health Network's change in blood supplier. The blood bank leader wrote of misconceptions about the situation and what he feels are the facts.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation announced a new program to train long-term care nursing aides. Those who enroll will get paid while training and will be hired at the health care provider upon completion.

After going into cardiac arrest, a Catasauqua woman is thanking the team of EMS, fire and medical professionals that helped to save her life. After nearly 12 months in recovery, she reunited with her life-savers to say “thank you.”

As cases of sexually transmitted diseases spike, health experts urge people to get tested. The Allentown Health Bureau is offering free walk-in testing to anyone, including those who do not live in the city.