by DR. JOY JACKSON In the United States, breast cancer remains the second-most-common cancer amongst women. Breast cancer rates in Polk County align with this trend; it is the second-most-common cancer among women at rates of 119.6. There are certain risk factors for breast cancer that one cannot change. Being a woman and aging are […]
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by DR. JOY JACKSON September is Hunger Action Month — a time to end hunger and food insecurity. Food insecurity is the lack of regular access to food that would allow an individual to lead a healthy life. According to the USDA, 33.8 million people, about 9 million of which are children, experience food insecurity.
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by DR. JOY JACKSON Breastfeeding continues to be the optimal source of nutrition for infants with rewards that stretch into adulthood. And, while there is much focus on the physical health benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, it is essential to acknowledge the mental health benefits gained during breastfeeding as well as the emotional
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by DR. JOY JACKSON Summer has arrived, bringing school breaks, hot weather, and the sun’s rays beating down on us. UV rays from the sun cause skin damage and it can lead to skin cancer. The Department of Health in Polk County would like to encourage you to practice sun-safe behaviors for yourself and for
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In Polk County, rates of new HIV diagnoses among men have been on the rise. As of 2021, men are nearly four times as likely as women to be diagnosed with HIV. During Men’s Health Month, we can work toward reducing new HIV infections and promoting men’s overall well-being by reiterating fundamental knowledge about HIV.
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DOH Director of Nursing Discusses the Nature of Public Health, Outreach For National Nurses Week 2023, the Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) interviewed our Director of Nursing and Community Health Services, Tammy Durden. She has been a nurse for 29 years, and she’s been in the role of director for eight years. Durden
by Dr. JOY JACKSON, MD, Director of DOH-Polk A peril of aging is the increased risk of falls. Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury and injury-related death among seniors ages 65 and older. The statistics are equally dire in Polk County: Falls are the leading cause of unintentional fatal injury among seniors ages
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We love our pets and treat them like members of the family. More than half of American households have at least one pet. Owning a pet is shown to improve health. But, it’s also important to know how to keep children healthy around pets. Even when pets seem healthy, they can carry diseases that spread
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Know the Heart Disease Risk Factors for Black Americans February is both American Heart Month as well as Black History Month. While February is a time to celebrate the past and the present achievements of the Black community in America, it’s also a fitting time to contemplate how to improve heart health. While heart disease
The New Year Is a Great Time to De-Stress Just like tomorrow is a new day, 2023 is a new year. Each new year, many of us make resolutions in an effort to improve our lives. The Florida Department of Health in Polk County wants to encourage you to live your best life by changing
