Health News

Features

Staying in the Game

Polk Senior Games Help Seniors Stay Active and Involved by PAUL CATALA During her younger years in her Michigan hometown, Dot Van Farowe says she participated in a variety of sports and leisure activities. But at 91 years old, Van Farowe’s days of “pass, punt and kick” football, playing basketball, water and snow skiing and…
Pop Quiz: Handwashing Is the Best Defense, but Are You Doing It Right?

Amidst the information being released concerning COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, is a gem that will serve you well far into the future: proper handwashing procedures. Study after study has shown that properly washing your hands is one of the best defenses against any virus, bacteria, or germ. If you want to prevent being…
Specialized Care

Chapters Health System, Bartow Regional Medical Center Open Palliative Care Clinic by MARY TOOTHMAN In partnership with Chapters Health System, Bartow Regional Medical Center has opened a palliative care clinic in Bartow. Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on relieving the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The provision of palliative care…

Publisher’s Note: Will the Medicaid overhaul favor certain FL-based HMOs?

It seems only yesterday it was August 2, when hundreds of pages describing the Florida Medicaid overhaul were released. The goal of this overhaul is to shift Medicaid beneficiaries into “managed-care plans” by 2013 while using a heavily debated pilot program until then to set the wheels in motion. But which companies stand to benefit most…
September STATs

A Prostate Pick Me Up 60% Percentage decrease in death from prostate cancer in men who drank 6 cups of coffee daily, decaf or regular. Source: 20-year Harvard University Study “While this particular study hasn’t come across my desk, yet, I am aware of a lot of studies in the prevention of prostate cancer.…
Healthy Cook: The cure for the common fruit (variety is key)

Follow nutrition headlines and it may be tempting to focus on one fruit that’s exciting to health researchers. Unfortunately, the stars of the produce stand can change their rankings as quickly as the front-runners on “American Idol.” One week we’re told to cheer for red grapes; the next it’s cantaloupe. How should a person choose…