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Pop Quiz: Is your teen at risk for dating violence?

A light push… A condescending statement… They may be just innocent moves by a person, but these could be telltale signs of teen dating violence. Is your teen at risk for being in such a relationship? Take our quiz to learn more about noticeable signs of teen dating violence, and what you can do as…
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…

Word of Mouth: Guard your mouth this sports season

NO MATTER the season, there’s always a variety of sports for kids and adults to participate in and enjoy. While the safety equipment requirements for many sports have increased over the years to prevent risk and injury, there’s one area that could use a bit more attention from the cheering section: the mouth guard.
Healthy Smiles: Preventive care can save your money and your health

PREVENTIVE CARE care can save you thousands! It sounds incredible, but it’s true! Brushing your teeth for two full minutes and taking another minute flossing, twice a day, can help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Anything you do to protect your teeth and gums is time well spent. You can stop minor problems…
Don’t sleep on it! Tips for making the morning routine more stress-free

AS A MOTHER of four, I’m constantly looking for ways to make more efficient use of my time, especially when it comes to the morning routine. With all four kids in school this year and all of them under eight years old, we have a lot of little hands and feet to manage, and that…