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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!…

Healthcare Buzz: Oral healthcare and your child — back to basics

FLOSSING is an important part of any oral care routine, and experts advise you do it at least once a day. However, many parents wonder when should their children should start flossing their teeth? The answer is much younger than you’d likely guess. The recommendation is that you should start flossing your child’s teeth as…
Healthy Cook: A fresh look at meals for Easter time

EASTER IS A TIME of rejoicing for Christians all over the world. It’s a time for rebirth and starting over. It’s spring for everyone, no matter what religion. And, it’s a time to take a fresh look at what we eat. Lent, traditionally 40 days of culinary sacrifice, leads to Easter. When I was a…
Health Facts: Tired … thinning hair . . . tearful? It may be your thyroid gland

THE THYROID GLAND is a butterfly shaped organ that sits in the lower front of the neck. It’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the bloodstream and taken to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy levels, and affect your appetite, body warmth, sleep, and mood. Symptoms may…