Health News

Features

Local Medical Academies Preparing Students for Health Careers

by CHERYL ROGERS Eighteen public schools in Polk County train students for future careers in healthcare through medical or health science programs. Here’s a look at how some of them have fared. Katya Viegas and Janet Hernandez are heading to medical school. Jesus Jimenez, or J.J., is glad he found an incentive to finish high…
Pop Quiz: Facts and Stats about Immunizations

by ERIKA ALDRICH August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to explore the topic of immunizations around the globe. The efforts to immunize people against debilitating and life-threatening diseases is a global initiative that we are all a part of. Test your knowledge of facts and statistics about immunizations by taking…
Tips to Prepare for the New School Year

by Mary Toothman It’s that time of year again: School supply aisles will be flooded with parents and children, clutching lists of what is required. First-day-of-school outfits will be carefully selected by many students. Late-morning sleep-ins will be replaced by early wake-up calls. Back to school means many things to parents and students — some…

Three Great Reasons to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

You’ve had a physical, you’ve had your eyes checked, and your hearing. You have gone through all the usual testing— cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc. But have you scheduled your Annual Wellness Visit? This important appointment can help you regain control of your health and enhance your senior lifestyle. Whether you believe you’re healthy…
The Thyroid Gland and Weight Loss

Maintaining a healthy body weight can be frustrating – trying to balance sensible eating with proper exercise is tricky. Unfortunately, some folks suffer from health conditions that can make losing weight very difficult. An underperforming thyroid gland is one such culprit. The thyroid gland is an organ that sits at the base of the neck…
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Did you know over 2 million Americans are affected by glaucoma? With proper treatment, the vast majority will not go blind from this silent disease of the eye. The most common form of treatment is eye drops, which work to reduce the eye’s pressure. However, some patients may require eye surgery to achieve their treatment…