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State Mandate Calls for Mental Health Education in Florida Schools by MARY TOOTHMAN The State Board of Education has voted to approve a new mandate that calls for specific mental health lessons to be given to students in grades six through 12. The focus will be on awareness, prevention, and reducing stigma. At least…
Pop Quiz: Facts and Stats about Glaucoma

1.) Which of the following defines glaucoma? A medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision. A complex disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. The inability to perceive differences in various shades of colors. The loss of vision after…
Talking Skin Cancer Care and Prevention

by TERESA SCHIFFER Here in Central Florida, we are bathed in sunlight most days of the year. People love living in Florida because of the sunny weather, but all that sunlight comes with some risks. One risk that people need to be aware of is the risk of skin cancer. In fact, new research shows…

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

The month of April is considered National Oral Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in the United States for 2019 show that about 53,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer and an estimated 10,860 will die of these cancers. Lip and…
What Counts as Exercise?

Making the effort to exercise regularly is an admirable pursuit. Physical activity can play a vital role in cardiovascular health, weight loss, body strengthening, and even emotional well-being. But not all physical exertion is truly “exercise.” By definition, “exercise” is physical activity that leads to sustained elevation of the heart rate; this can only be…
The Importance of Regular Cleanings

We’re now three months into 2019, and if you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist for a cleaning, it’s time to stop putting it off. Outside of maintaining your oral health, dental cleanings serve a variety of other purposes that can lead to short and long-term benefits. Here are a few…