Editor’s Dose

Polk County recently held its State of the County 2025 forum at the Polk State College Center for Public Safety in Winter Haven. While topics ranged from health care and schools to transportation, infrastructure, and more, the insights gleaned about health care were what resonated most with us here at Central Florida Health News.  At […]

Longtime eagle-eyed readers of Central Florida Health News may notice something different in this month’s edition. Here’s a hint: When one chapter closes, another begins. Since October 2016, Dr. Joy Jackson with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County has written our monthly Medical Advice column, offering valuable insight on topics critical to public

Fluoride has become the latest hot topic in public health, and the practice of adding fluoride to the municipal water supply has come under scrutiny.  Fluoricilicic acid, the inorganic compound that results in fluoride when added to water, has long been used to aid in the prevention of cavities and to strengthen tooth enamel. But

We know the competition for your attention is high. It seems that everybody wants to pop into your email inbox these days. From stores and spam to utility bills, your inbox is the place to be. We don’t take that for granted.   If you are a regular reader of the Central Florida Health News newsletters

Ladies, let’s talk. When you reach a certain age, your annual doctor’s visits take on a different tone. Phrases like night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and brain fog start to creep into your conversations. But even though there’s plenty of talk about these menopause symptoms, there seems to be a lot less talk about

As we head into a new year, we bid adieu to a year of influential stories that graced the pages of Central Florida Health News. Inspirational, powerful, and hopeful, they are the epitome of what our magazine aims to share: the human element behind the headlines. Here’s a look back at just some of the

If there’s something the holidays are NOT known for, it is rest. Sure, we all look forward to joining family and friends in activities and gatherings, but oftentimes the calendar gets packed with commitments that leave little to no room for “rest.” Couple that with the stress rearranging your schedule to meet deadlines around the

Most of us have been playing catch-up since Hurricane Milton blew through, but there are some key dates coming up because it’s that time of year again.  I’m not talking about Thanksgiving or Christmas, though those are coming, too. I’m talking about the open enrollment period for health care insurance. The Florida Health Care Exchange,

It can be heart-wrenching to watch a friend or family member go through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, especially if you don’t know how to help them.  The diagnosis affects more than their physical health. It can weigh heavily on their emotional and mental well-being, too. This was something breast cancer survivor Caitlyn Grady touched

People have been turning to herbal supplements since the beginning of time. In fact, many people prefer to use herbs in their daily routines instead of medications because of the “natural” claims. Unfortunately, it’s not as cut and dry as that, and a recent study out of the University of Michigan underscores that point. The