Do positive affirmations work? A psychologist unpacks the evidence

Philly Voice (Health) 2/20 10:00P Madeleine Fraser, Australian Cat

Self-affirmation theory suggests repeating positive ideas about yourself can protect you from negative mental health symptoms, boosting your mood and sense of self-worth. Scientific research suggests this works in some cases, but there are...

GLP-1 drugs are great weight-loss tools. But they work best with lifestyle changes, experts say

Philly Voice (Health) 2/20 8:38A Louis Bezich

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are a positive development, but they do not eliminate the need for lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise, experts say. Making a permanent dent in Americans' weight crisis will take a combination of strategies.

How busy families can stay healthy throughout the school year

Philly Voice (Health) 2/20 8:00A Peter Key, sponsored by Independ

By the time the school year settles into its rhythm, most families are juggling packed calendars, long to-do lists, and very little downtime. When schedules feel nonstop, healthy routines can slip without anyone noticing. A few steady habits can...

Winter can leave your skin dry, itchy and red. Here's how to protect it

Philly Voice (Health) 2/17 10:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

Using lukewarm water and gentle cleansers can help protect the skin during the cold, dry winter months. Also, moisturizing frequently and using sunblock can help prevent damage, dermatologists say.

Exercise can be as effective as medication for depression and anxiety, new study shows

Philly Voice (Health) 2/14 10:00P Neil Munro, James Cook Universit

Exercise is a evidence-based treatment option for depression and anxiety, but telling patients to 'exercise more' is unlikely to be effective. A new study shows structured, supervised exercise with a social component is best for improving these...

National Cancer Institute is studying ivermectin's 'ability to kill cancer cells'

Philly Voice (Health) 2/13 10:00P Rachana Pradhan, KFF Health News

The National Cancer Institute is studying ivermectin as a potential cancer treatment despite having no new evidence suggesting the antiparasitic drug may be effective. The drug's popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as fringe medical...

Grays Ferry residents advised to stay indoors after trash fire creates air quality issues

Philly Voice (Health) 2/13 3:16A Molly McVety

A trash fire at the Philadelphia Transfer Station in Grays Ferry on Thursday night prompted city health officials to warn residents to stay indoors due to potential poor air quality. No hazardous substances were immediately identified by inspectors.

Vast majority of baby food products are ultra-processed, study finds

Philly Voice (Health) 2/11 10:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

More than 70% of baby foods contain additives that classify them as ultra-processed foods, a new study found. Common ingredients include emulsifiers, flavor enhancers and thickeners. Researchers say the use of these products in infant foods is...

Worrying about aging doesn't help — it actually may speed up the process

Philly Voice (Health) 2/11 6:11A Courtenay Harris Bond

Women who worry about declining health may be accelerating the biological aging process, a new study finds. NYU researchers found psychological stress about deteriorating physical health and vulnerability to illness may show up on a cellular level.

Can dark showering help you sleep better? Here's what the science says

Philly Voice (Health) 2/10 10:00P Courtenay Harris Bond

Dark showering is a trendy sleep hack, but does it work? Scientific research on dark showering specifically is limited. But related studies show warm showers before bedtime improve sleep, as does reduced light exposure at night.

It's 2026 and you lack health insurance. Now what?

Philly Voice (Health) 2/7 10:00P Renuka Rayasam, KFF Health News

Health insurance is the best protection against major medical debt, experts say, but many people are losing coverage through the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid. This story contains five ways the uninsured can find affordable care.

NIH grant disruptions slow down breast cancer research

Philly Voice (Health) 2/6 10:00P Martha Bebinger, WBUR

The future of federal funding for cancer research is uncertain, as evidenced by the loss of grant funding for breast cancer research at Harvard University. President Donald Trump proposed cutting the NIH budget by nearly 40%, but Congress reached...

Quality time at family meals may lower teens' risk of using alcohol, marijuana

Philly Voice (Health) 2/6 3:50A Courtenay Harris Bond

Quality time at family meals helps reduce the risk of adolescents using alcohol or drugs, a new study finds. But there is an exception: the findings did not hold true for children who had experienced significant amounts of adversity.

Sticking to a tougher exercise routine can be challenging. But even a small boost in physical...

Philly Voice (Health) 2/5 10:00P Louis Bezich

Increasing daily physical activity by just a few minutes can reduce your risk of death, new research finds. Another study shows that weightlifting of any kind leads to added muscle mass and strength.

Cooper Health's new mobile unit brings primary care to people with autism and other developmental...

Philly Voice (Health) 2/4 8:37A Courtenay Harris Bond

Cooper University Health's new mobile unit provides care to people with autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome in their homes. It aims to reduce the stress of medical visits for these people and to remove barriers to care.