From the PCMA President

December brings some of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Unfortunately, it can also bring more stress because it’s Open Enrollment time for ACA marketplace health plans. Don’t fret! Check out the primer in this edition of Central Florida Health News.  This is our Health and Beauty edition, so inside we take a look […]

Now that the sea of pink has subsided with the close of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re bringing in the blue for Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the CDC, roughly 37.3 million people — or 11.3 percent of the U.S. population — have diabetes. Another 8.5 million have not yet been diagnosed or don’t know

October brings the proliferation of all things pink, and for good reason. This month is when we turn our focus to breast cancer awareness.  The statistics are sobering. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an estimated 300,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 alone. Roughly 297,790 of those

The nation is in the midst of a healthcare staffing crisis, and that makes this a critical time for our educational institutions. That’s why this Youth & Health edition of Central Florida Health News takes a closer look at some of the local institutions and programs working hard to ensure the healthcare workers of tomorrow

Considering roughly 1 in 5 U.S. adults are living with a mental illness and suicide is among the top causes of death for people ages 10-64, the importance of mental health care is clear. Fortunately, some of the barriers that keep some who need help from getting it are starting to improve. The stigma of

If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time, it can be easy to become blasé about skin cancer and sunscreen. This is, after all, the Sunshine State. When you start learning about the dangers of UV rays as early as age 5, the message can become muted. Unfortunately, that means the finer nuances

Welcome to the June edition of Central Florida Health News. To some, I may be a new face for this greeting as Dr. Booker has served as president of the Polk County Medical Association President since June of 2019. I’d like to thank Dr. Booker for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the PCMA

The nursing shortage in Florida is reaching a fevered pitch. Some professional associations warn that the state could be lacking upwards of 50,000 nurses by 2035. Yet show me any hospital, clinic, or care center, and I promise you there are nurses working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the patients get the best

Florida has long been known as an ideal place for seniors. Great weather, no state income tax, and an abundance of top healthcare resources make the Sunshine State more than ideal.  In this Senior Health edition of Central Florida Health News, we address issues that may be more relevant to our aging population. After all,

People have enjoyed the benefits of animal companionship for ages because it buoys their mood and keeps their spirits high. But did you know there’s scientific evidence that supports the health benefits of having pets? In this Pets & Your Health edition of Central Florida Health News, we take a deep dive into the various