Medical Advice

by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN Aaron Kissler, MPH, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk), has dedicated over 26 years to public health service. With a career spanning local, regional, and state leadership, Aaron Kissler brings his passions for data analysis, epidemiology, and fostering community engagement. The workforce challenges faced by […]

by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) wants Polk residents to know that small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a big difference in preventing type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition, type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t

By DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It accounts for about 30% of all new female cancers each year. In the United States, about one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Anyone can get breast cancer regardless of their age, race,

By DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN Sleep is an essential function. During sleep, bodies recharge and rejuvenate, and how you feel and how you function during your waking moments is dependent partly on your sleep. While good sleep is important for everyone’s health and well-being, for children, teens, and young adults, sleep plays a particularly crucial role

by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN Mental health has become a growing concern in today’s fast-paced world. In recent years, there has been a reported increase of people suffering from poor mental health in the United States. Recent data shows a similar increase in Florida across age groups; children and adults are equally affected. According to the

by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN Summer is here and with it comes days spent in the sun. Children tend to spend more time in the sun, and they tend to sunburn more easily. Parents need to know the effects of UV rays on the skin and what you can do to protect your children and yourselves. 

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