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Stepping Up the Focus on Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Advocates Say Teen Pregnancy is a Social Issue that Impacts All of Us— Not Just Parents and Teens Raising awareness about teen pregnancy prevention is spotlighted in May, but for devoted advocates, it is a year-round campaign.
Q&A with Erin Brown, Emergency Room Nurse

On What It Takes to Be a Nurse Emergency Room nurse Erin Brown, RN is dedicated to her patients at the Lake Wales Medical Center (LWMC). In January, she was awarded Employee of the Month for her dedication and exemplary service. In honor of National Nurses Week, happening May 6-12, we talked to her recently…
Nothing to Sneeze At

Investigating Ways to Survive and Thrive with Seasonal Allergies Headaches, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, coughing— these are all symptoms of seasonal, outdoor allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. And although Florida may not be the worst place for seasonal…

Medical Advice: Awareness is key to stopping upward trend of STDs

Every year in April, we observe STD Awareness Month. This is an opportunity for individuals, doctors, and communities to address ways to prevent some of the nearly 20 million sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that occur in the United States each year. Half of all new infections occur among people between the ages of 15 to…
Ask a Nurse: Dental plaque & arterial plaque

Have you ever wondered what the dentist scrapes off of your teeth when you go in for your annual cleaning? Several studies over the past few years have found some surprising results. In 2010, Cornell University and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden collected samples from the mouth, gut, and arteries of 15 heart disease patients.…
Medical advice: Poison help in the home

If you suspected that a member of your household had ingested a potentially poisonous substance, would you know what to do? Did you know you can call the Florida Poison Information Center—sometimes referred to as Poison Control—at 1-800-222-1222 for assistance with any possible poison event? A health care professional is available 24 hours a day,…