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Talking to your teen can make a difference

New Data Reveals Teen Pregnancy Rates Have Fallen in Polk County For the past decade, the teen pregnancy rate in Polk County has been among the top in Florida, but the latest figures show the rate has dropped. “Community partnerships and civil dialogue has worked to lower teen pregnancy,” says Dr. Daniel Haight, director of…
Kicking the smoking habit for good

A resolution easier said than done, but not impossible With the holidays behind us, we stand at the threshold of another New Year. In an effort to improve our lives over the next 12 months, we’ll make resolutions that if achieved would make a difference for the better. If yours is to get healthy, fantastic!…
When less is more in exercise

How to boost the health benefits of your workouts It’s easy to fall into the routine of walking or jogging at the same pace every time. But to get the most of our exercise regimen, we need to challenge ourselves. “The number one thing to do is to increase the intensity that you work out…

Word of Mouth: Myths about implants debunked, part II: Are they effective?

Working like your own teeth, dental implants are imbedded in your jaw bone; they offer a superior option over bridges and dentures. Implants look and feel like your natural teeth, but you may worry that they won’t be effective long-term. Look to the facts when considering the effectiveness of implants. Myth: Dental Implants are too…
Ask a Nurse: Alzheimer’s is Type 3 Diabetes!

In 1906, a German neuropathologist Dr. Alois Alzheimer first identified what is now considered Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). He was caring for a middle-aged woman suffering from memory loss and disorientation. Just a short five years later, the woman passed away after enduring the torment of hallucinations and symptoms of dementia. Currently “the presence of neurofibrillary…
Publisher’s Note: Update on Florida Health Choices

In early March, www.myfloridachoices.org became live. It is the website devoted to Florida Health Choices (the state’s health insurance marketplace, separate from the federal plans under the Affordable Care Act). The state’s health insurance marketplace offers a few options for discounted plans under dental, vision, telemedicine, and prescription coverage. It’s important to note that this…