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Pop Quiz! Are You Flu-ent on Prevention? A-choose Wisely

The holiday season approaches, but so does the gift that will not stop giving — flu season. While the influenza virus can circulate at any time of the year, flu season peaks from December to February. The flu is a serious illness that can lead to pneumonia, bacterial infections, hospitalization, or worse. Take our quiz…
Brimming With Hope

Mother of T1D Uses Cups of Hope to Raise Awareness by REBEKAH PIERCE It’s the little things in life that make it so meaningful – and for families affected by type 1 diabetes, it might truly be as simple as sharing a good cup of coffee. Katie Schmid started the Polk County chapter of Cups…
Where AI Meets Awareness

AdventHealth’s GRACE Helps With Early Detection of Breast Cancer by REBEKAH PIERCE October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while we’ve known for many years that awareness and early detection can help save lives, it’s always been an “easier said than done” situation. Like many cancers, breast cancer is notoriously hard to detect and can…

Word of Mouth: The importance of being earnest about flossing

FLOSSING LIKELY IS NOT your favorite part of your oral routine, but it’s necessary for tip-top oral health. Flossing reaches spots between your teeth that your toothbrush just can’t get. It removes food and plaque that can lead to more serious oral issues — like tartar and cavities, just for starters — so the American…
Editor’s Dose: Tips for minimizing back-to-school stress

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, then come early July you were already thinking about preparations for the new school year. Parents and children in the community this year are getting ready extra early because Polk County public schools moved up their calendar by one week — day one of school is August 15.
Making the choice to breastfeed

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH in Polk County (DOH-Polk) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recognize August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This is a wonderful time of year to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and discuss the health benefits breastfeeding provides. Although every woman has their own…