Medical Advice

by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN June is Men’s Health Month. Men’s health is as varied as men are as a demographic and can encompass a wide assortment of topics from chronic health conditions to fitness. The Department of Health in Polk County would like to inform Polk residents on screenings and check-ups that men should get […]

by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN If you’ve ever visited a doctor’s office or received care for your health at a clinic, hospital or even at school, chances are that you’ve interacted with a nurse in some capacity. In many ways, nurses are a cornerstone of our healthcare system. They’re often the first point of contact for

by DR. JOY JACKSON As seniors get older, the list of medications frequently gets longer in order to maintain health and well-being. But juggling multiple medications can be overwhelming. According to data from the National Health Survey in 2021-2022, 88.6% of seniors aged 65 or older took prescription medication. The Department of Health in Polk

Most people, even if they don’t have pets, know about rabies. Rabies is one of the oldest known diseases in the world, dating to the beginning of written history. And, before the first rabies vaccine was invented in 1885 by Dr. Louis Pasteur, nearly all humans infected with rabies died.  In Polk County, according to

by DR. JOY JACKSON The heart is the powerhouse of the human body and, as such, it is holistically interconnected with the body as a whole. The heart cannot be separated from how the rest of the body is functioning. Poor diet and lack of exercise are often mentioned as factors a person could change

by DR. JOY JACKSON Happy 2025! Many people begin the new year with resolutions and plans to do the year right, to do better than they did the year before. Most of these resolutions come in the form of personal goals that people want to meet. But what about health? This January, for Cervical Cancer

by DR. JOY JACKSON The past few years have placed unexpected strain on the public healthcare system, making recruitment and retention of public health workers a significant challenge, and that includes county health departments, such as the Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk).  DOH-Polk plays a vital role in promoting community health and well-being.

by DR. JOY JACKSON As the holidays approach, attending social events can present a unique challenge for the 15.4% of Polk County adults living with diabetes. But having diabetes doesn’t mean missing out on the fun. The Department of Health in Polk County would like to provide some tips on how to navigate social events

by DR. JOY JACKSON Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women except for skin cancer. In the United States, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. Every 13 minutes, a woman dies from the disease. In Polk County, breast cancer death rates remain a significant concern, with 124.2 deaths per

by DR. JOY JACKSON Social media use has increased in recent years, with kids and teens spending hours on social media platforms every day. Concurrently, mental health symptoms among young people have also increased. In 2022, 48.2% of surveyed students in Polk County reported feeling depressed or sad most days, compared to 47.3% of students