Tagged Health
Beyond Books: How a West Philly Library Is Addressing Food Insecurity
In the heart of West Philadelphia, a powerful partnership has formed between Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library and The People’s Fridge , working together to combat a critical issue: food insecurity. This partnership reflects an…
Department Highlights: Science and Wellness
Since Parkway Central Library opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections…
Exercising With Baby: Babies Need Exercise, Too!
Hey there, new parents and caregivers! It's time to get those little bundles of joy moving and grooving — babies need exercise too! Picture this: your adorable baby, exploring the world with those tiny hands and…
Penn Med's Health Talk Tuesdays
The Science and Wellness Department invites you to explore and learn about health topics in a new program series. Introducing Penn Med's Health Talk Tuesdays ! Skip the waiting room and hear about the latest health advice and…
Observing Mental Health Awareness Month With the Free Library
May 1 begins Mental Health Awareness Month; this is a time to think more about our mental health journeys. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness about the importance of mental health in the…
What's Your New Year's Resolution for 2023?
We're about to embark on a new year, and even if you're not a New Year's Resolution person, you might view this time of year - and the turning of the calendar - as a chance to evaluate goals for the next 12…
Empathy Versus Misinformation: Transgender Youth Panel Series
Lately, transgender and gender non-conforming youth have been a hot topic across the nation. Many people feel confused, even panicked, and it can be hard to tell what claims being made are even true. We've assembled a panel of…
April is Stress Awareness Month
It’s never too late to take personal inventory and check in with yourself. How is your mental health? When was the last time you drank some water or ate a fully balanced meal? Can you remember the last time you inhaled and exhaled…
The Free Library and You: New Year’s Resolutions in 2022!
Can you believe we’re about to turn the page on another (long, strange, COVID-19 filled...) year? I know I can't! While I've never really been a big New Year's Resolution person, I do appreciate how the…
COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Children and Available in Philadelphia
The FDA has approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11—just in time for the holidays! The holiday season is usually a time for family and friends to gather and share food and fun. For the past year and a half, however,…
It’s National Immunization Awareness Month!
by Lillian B. and Jake T. Afraid of shots or needles? Have questions about protecting your health? Get excited to learn with us this National Immunization Awareness Month ! Primarily, immunizations are most effective when given to…
Baking with Becca: Cooking Outside the Box... Chicken and Potatoes
This week at Whitman Library we are making a simple meal of Chicken and Potatoes that can be tweaked and flavored to your preferences! Baking with Becca at Whitman Library I prepared and cooked chicken two ways because we are…
Edible Alphabet Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
by Breshay Woods, Culinary Literacy Center Intern Edible Alphabet is a free English Language Learning (ELL) program offered by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center . Our mission is to teach English language…
Baking with Becca: Cooking Outside the Box
Baking with Becca began at Whitman Library , nestled between 2nd and 3rd Streets on Snyder Avenue in South Philly. When COVID hit, we had to take a long break. I continued to grow and learn to strengthen this class and to steel myself…
I Belong: Facing COVID-19 with Wellness and Resilience
The Languages and Learning Center (LLC) supports the individual literacy and learning goals of Philadelphia adults, including resources for Adult Basic Education, language learning, and digital literacy. This guest blog post is…
Stocking Up Food for the Winter
Written by Alex Evenson, Philabundance Nutrition Educator, with additions from Caity Rietzen, Culinary Literacy Center Supervisor Frozen peas, canned beans, and potato chips. What do these three food items have in common? Since the…
Cooking with Pomegranates: Seeds the Day!
Pomegranates! They are unique red fruits filled with many juicy seeds, with a sweet and tart taste. While these fruits grow in warmer climates, they can be available in some local Philly stores in the fall and early winter months. …
Brighten Up Your Thanksgiving Table
Written by Alex Evenson, Philabundance Nutrition Educator, with additions from Caity Rietzen, Culinary Literacy Center Supervisor Cooking is a wonderful way to bring people together, and while this year's holiday will be…
Using the City's Online Maps to Find Free Food Distribution and COVID-19 Testing Sites
As COVID-19 cases surge in our city, Philadelphia health officials have announced a new Safer at Home plan, which aims to limit the spread of this virus through this difficult period. Vaccines for COVID-19 are currently under…
Philadelphia Announces New "Safer at Home" Restrictions and Closures to Fight Rising COVID-19 Cases
In response to rising COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, the City and Department of Public Health have announced changes to restrictions on businesses, events, and gatherings, and other activities to help flatten the epidemic curve,…
Stop the Bleed Training
Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life. Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…
Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Information Table
Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) information table to pick up free COVID-19 test kits, masks, and updated information on keeping healthy. PDPH outreach staff will be on hand to answer questions and…
Stop the Bleed Training
Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life. Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…
Stop the Bleed Training
Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life. Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…
Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Information Table
Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) information table to pick up free COVID-19 test kits, masks, and updated information on keeping healthy. PDPH outreach staff will be on hand to answer questions and…
Walking Wednesdays
Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…
Tween Talk
Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge. This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…
Walking Wednesdays
Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…
Tween Talk
Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge. This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…
Walking Wednesdays
Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…
Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Information Table
Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) information table to pick up free COVID-19 test kits, masks, and updated information on keeping healthy this fall and winter. PDPH outreach staff will be on hand to…
Tween Talk
Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge. This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…
Stop the Bleed Training
Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life. Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…
Walking Wednesdays
Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…
Tween Talk
Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge. This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…
Walking Wednesdays
Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…
Chair Yoga with Lindsey
Chair Yoga is a form of yoga that uses a chair as the main prop versus a traditional mat. This makes the practice more accessible to those that have trouble putting pressure on the knees and wrists, and is suitable for all levels and…
Tween Talk
Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge. This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…
Philadelphia Department of Public Health Resource Table
Speak with a representative from Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health! Resources will be available as well as free COVID tests, pads, condoms, and other health-related supplies.
Walking Wednesdays
Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…
Exercise DVDs
Try a new workout or an old favorite with these DVDs.
Health for Kids
Check out some health-related books for kids and teens at the Free Library.
Health
Here are some of the health books on the shelves of the Free Library.
Diabetes
Learn more about diabetes and how to manage it.
The Food Trust: Farmer's Markets
The Food Trust keeps an up-to-date map of farmers markets you can visit in Philadelphia.
Take Control Philly
Take Control Philly is part of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. It provides information on sexually transmitted infections, how to protect yourself, and free condoms at locations throughout the city or by mail directly to…
Ready Philadelphia
Part of being healthy is being prepared for emergencies. Sign up for Ready Philadelphia to get alerts about disasters, local emergencies, weather alerts, mass transit, and other important information.
Poison Control Center
The Poison Control Center’s mission is to reduce the number of accidents, the severity of injuries, the number of deaths, and the healthcare costs associated with poison exposures. They can be reached at any time at 1-800-222-1222.
Point-to-Talk Booklets in 19 Languages
These booklets, developed by the American Hospital Association, are designed to help non-English speakers talk with their doctors during appointments. They can be downloaded and printed.
Philly Powered
Philly Powered is part of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Get Healthy Philly initiative to promote everyday physical activity, particularly among adult men and women who are seeking to live healthier lives.
Philly Food Finder
Use this tool to find food pantries, meals for seniors, soup kitchens, SHARE host sites, and farmer’s markets by typing in your address or zip code.
Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative
The Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative website connects to three resettlement agencies and eight refugee health clinics.
Philadelphia Health Centers
Do you need to see a doctor? Visit this site for locations of medical services across the city.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health: Immunization Program
Find immunization recommendations here to make sure you and your children are up to date on all vaccines.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
The main website for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is a great place to start researching your health questions. It connects you to information on the many health issues Philadelphians face, as well as resources for…
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging: Health & Wellness
Good health is a key component of aging well and there are many free community-based programs to help seniors improve their health. Using PCA’s event search tool, you can find events near you on health topics including nutrition,…
Obesity
Learn about adult and childhood obesity, including the causes, the health consequences, and strategies to prevent obesity.
Medline Plus Health Topics
If you are looking for information on a specific health condition, the Medline Plus list of Health Topics is a great place to start. Here are some specific health conditions that are prevalent in Philadelphia, as well as information on…
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
One in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
Healthy Minds Philly
HealthyMindsPhilly.org is an online tool and resource to support and improve the mental health and well-being of all Philadelphians. The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) has…
Free Library Culinary Literacy Center
Our Culinary Literacy Center offers a wide range of programs for eaters of all interests and tastes. Kitchen classes range from Meatless Mondays to Fish Without Fear and butchering demonstrations to salad how-tos. Free and low-cost…
Free Health Screenings
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health maintains a monthly list of free health screenings across the city. Scroll down to the “Free Health Screenings in Philadelphia” section for the link to this month’s list.
Food Fit Philly
Eating healthy and being physically active can reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are local, non-profit or city-run primary care providers serving low-income families. Find one using this search tool.
Health
What are your health questions? The Free Library can connect you with resources to help you live a healthier lifestyle, including research tools, cooking classes, resources to help you quit smoking or increase your exercise, and…