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Pop Quiz! Celebrating Cervical Cancer Awareness Month With the Facts

Do you know what type of cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women? The answer is cervical cancer. Thankfully, an increase in awareness and testing has led to a dramatic reduction in deaths from cervical cancer, but it is still a big enough threat that every woman should know how…
A Nose for COVID-19

Central Florida Company Trains Canines to Detect Virus by JULIE GMITTER In 2020, many people adapted to the changing health crisis — whether it meant conducting business differently, working from home or virtual learning with their kids. F1K9, a Central Florida canine scent detection training school, is one of many businesses refocusing their efforts in…
Transformation

Winter Haven Operating Room Technician Opens Up About Her Weight Loss Surgery and Journey by TERESA SCHIFFER photos by APRIL SPAULDING Elizabeth Lawhorne was living a life of frustration and poor health before she made a decision that would change her life forever. Lawhorne was 356 pounds with serious health issues, including high blood pressure,…

Health Hero: Kia Troutman

Heading Polk County’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Campaign a Personal Crusade for Kia Troutman Kia Troutman knows cancer. She knows how it killed her grandparents and a co-worker. She knows what her 61-year-old cousin in Mississippi, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, is going through. She knows how it touches the lives of African-Americans and…
5 Ways to Help with Smarter Nutrition

Polk County nutritionist at Central Florida Health Care shares how he helps patients make smarter food choices. Okay, it’s time to be honest. When you put food on your plate, does half of your meal consist of fruits and vegetables? If you answered “no” to this question, you’re not alone. In fact, more than 90…
Oral Hygiene and Your Mental Health

The connection between mental health and overall health is under-researched in the medical community, and this is true of the connection between mental health and oral health as well. Healthcare researchers agree there is a connection between oral health and mental health, but the exact connection isn’t a simple one. How Poor Oral Hygiene Affects…