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Making choices that lower your risk

How African-Americans Can Avoid High Blood Pressure Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a heavy weight that the African-American community has been destined to cope with. While no one is immune from high blood pressure, it is a proven fact that the African-American population has a 40 percent higher rate over any other ethnic group…
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!…

The Heart of the Matter: Heart disease’s ‘partner in crime’

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE, or PAD, affects as many as 12 million adults and is closely related to heart disease. Unfortunately, many people with PAD do not even know they have it. Worse yet, untreated PAD puts patients at a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes and death.
Family Health: Hormone pellet implantation therapy for women

WOMEN WHO ARE going through menopause or are post-menopausal often turn to hormone replacement therapy as a way to improve libido, regulate mood, and improve bone density, as well as treat the other symptoms associated with decreased estrogen production. While synthetic hormones are often used, pellet implantation therapy is an effective alternative.
Medical Advice: It IS worse than a dog’s bark — Preventing animal bite wounds

DOGS OFTEN ARE referred to as man’s best friend. Most are known to be loyal, loving, and friendly. Though these pets can bring smiles to many faces, it is also important to protect yourself from the potential consequence of dog ownership — dog bites. Though most dogs don’t intend to be harmful, they are still…