Health News

Features

Making African-American history in Polk

Alice Manley: A lifetime of service (above) Alice Manley stands with four generations of directors for the health department. From left to right: Dr. Ulyee Choe (November 2012-Present); Dr. Daniel Haight (July 1996-November 2012); Dr. William F. Hill (January 1967-June 1985); and Dr. Kevin Sherin (July 1988-October 1993). Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of…
Painting the town red with heart disease prevention

How Polk is taking steps to increase awareness and lower your risk Bill Mutz thought he was just going to help with a demonstration when he volunteered for an ultrasound at a Lakeland Leadership Cardiology group. But what he learned actually helped him: The ultrasound showed blood was not flowing properly through his heart’s mitral…
New year, New you!

How Polk County is Tackling Obesity and Residents are Making Healthier Lifestyle Choices Fifty-one year-old Ann Good topped 200 pounds last May. She lacked energy and was short of breath. Concerned about a family history of heart disease and diabetes, she decided to act. Today Good is 50 pounds lighter and breathing easier, in more…

Word of Mouth: How cavities develop

Cavities are one of the most common issues affecting our teeth. A mainstay of childhood dental concerns, cavities can also affect adults. Knowing how cavities develop is vital to protecting your teeth.
Does your child’s diet need to diversify?

Our Food Editor, Trent Rowe, makes a great point about carrots. Kids do love them, and I’ve got four little hungry mouths at my house to prove it. When I want my kids — who are all six years old and under — to eat everything off of their plate without a big production (including…
Publisher’s Note: Where Florida stands on getting healthcare through the ACA marketplace

By the time this magazine hits the streets, we will be less than two weeks from the deadline to sign up or renew your healthcare insurance plan at healthcare.gov — the only marketplace in Florida for selecting a healthcare plan and (if qualified) getting a subsidy to help pay for that plan — under the…