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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!…

Kickoff Summer with Clean Teeth!

By William Nerestant, DDS With June here, that means the Florida summer heat is back and school is out! We pay a lot of attention to dentist appointments and checkups as we get ready to go back to school or during the school year to have a bright smile for picture day, so does that…
Celebrating Our New Pediatric Center with a Free Summerfest and These Safety Tips

by SANJA COSIC, MD We have several locations throughout Polk, Highlands, and Hillsborough counties that serve our pediatric patients. However, at our Avon Park location, we are celebrating our new center with a FREE Summerfest! This family-friendly event will be held on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 950 CR 17A…
Cholesterol and Healthy Eating

By Shiva Seetahal, MD Cholesterol is a word everyone is familiar with but few can easily explain. Most of us are aware that too much cholesterol is bad for the body and associated with heart disease, but recent insights into the roles of “good” cholesterol and terms such as “trans” fat have created areas of…