Health News

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The Heart of the Matter

Area Physicians Weigh In on ECGs for Student Athletes by PAUL CATALA As the school year ramps up, parents are busy lining up appointments so their student athletes can get their sports physicals. Over the past decade, there’s been increased interest in the incorporation of electrocardiogram heart screenings in these physicals. An electrocardiogram, or ECG,…
When Heroes Need Help

New Initiative Seeks to Connect Veterans and First Responders With Mental Health Resources by RYAN MILEJCZAK A new initiative here in Central Florida seeks to help veterans and first responders struggle with mental health challenges. The Heroes Wellness Collective, launched by Lake Wales-based Operation Recovery, seeks to create a centralized, online platform that connects veterans…
A Different Kind of First Aid

Peace River Center Offers Mental Health First Aid by REBEKAH PIERCE An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This timeless adage is something we think about often when it comes to our physical health, but not necessarily what’s going on inside our heads. Yet the reality is that, in 2024, mental health…

Publisher’s Note: Accidents, Emergencies, and Illnesses Happen Every Day

In this edition of Central Florida Health News magazine, we wanted to put the spotlight on the people who care for medical emergencies. In the five stories you’re about to read, you’ll get a sense of what it’s like to work in an ER department, and the kind of skills that are needed to do…
Medical Advice: ESF8 Health and Medical Coalition: Creating bonds that strengthen disaster response

The world can be a dangerous place. There are natural disasters such as hurricanes, man-made disasters such as bioterrorism, and infectious disease outbreaks such as H1N1. When it comes to preparing and managing for these incidents and/or outbreaks, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (FDOH-Polk) is equipped with one of the county’s most…
PCMA Letter: Counting our blessings

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches and swiftly thereafter we will be swung into the hectic pace of the holiday season, now is the best time to count our blessings. At this time of year, we should try to show our gratitude to our loved ones and friends who support us through thick and thin. For those…