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Pop Quiz: Germs 101—A Crash Course for Parents

Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means your child’s chances of coming down with an illness is greatly increased. While schools are centers of learning, they are also breeding grounds for all manner of germs. However, there are ways to lessen your child’s chances of coming down with something, having to miss school due…
Tackling Mental Health Together

Establishing the West Central Florida Mental Wellness Coalition Recognizing the record number of suicide rates, substance use and opioid deaths, nearly 30 local organizations have joined forces to develop a regional mental health initiative. On June 20, BayCare CEO and President Tommy Inzina and participating leaders from other hospitals, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, government…
Working Like a Dog

Reading with Bonnie the Therapy Dog by RACHEL CHRISTIAN Cassandra Banning and Bonnie, her 10-year-old shih tzu therapy dog, have been bringing joy and happiness to people in the Plant City area for almost six years. The pair can be spotted across town visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and even Bruton Memorial Library. Unlike service animals…

The Heart of the Matter: The little-known fact of high blood pressure

IN MY FIRST column for Central Florida Health News, I wanted to get down to the heart of the matter on a topic that’s often left unaddressed for men: erectile dysfunction (ED). You may be asking yourself why a cardiology specialist would want to talk about this problem.
Healthy Cook: Springtime treats with a tropic guava twist

What would a Cuban turnover be without guava paste? Bland! Guava is a New World fruit that has spread over much of the warm parts of the globe. Guavas come in a few colors inside and a few flavors. The ones you buy or pick can be from 140 species. They are pear-shaped, oval or…
Hospice Help: Aging gracefully — it’s not just about your looks

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH wherever you look — driving on the highway, watching television, or surfing the Internet — there is an advertisement for a cream, potion, or injection that will restore looks to one’s younger days. Granted, these touted options might work, but they only address a concern for health on the surface. What…