Health News

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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…

Pre-Diabetes and the Type 2 Diabetes Struggle is Real— You Don’t Have to Manage It Alone

By DAWN C. HILL, DNP, ARNP, CDE Central Florida Health Care IF YOU ARE wondering whether or not you should be screened for Type 2 diabetes, then ask yourself these questions: • Am I aged 40 years or older? • Am I overweight? • Do I have high blood pressure or cholesterol? • Do I have…
Fighting the Flu

The flu season is here again and with it concerns for protecting not only ourselves but our loved ones. The most susceptible to the flu are children under 6 months of age, those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and the elderly. The flu virus can mainly be spread through ‘droplet’ infection that is in the…
Oral Hygiene Routines

Yahira Ferrer, Dental Assistant October is National Dental Hygiene Month, an effort to celebrate the work dental hygienists do and to help raise awareness on the importance of good oral health. This year, the awareness month is focusing on four routines that can help people maintain healthy smiles: brush, floss, rinse, and chew. The ADA…