Author: Vera

Healthcare Boom – Central Florida Health News

Vera
Healthcare Boom – Central Florida Health News

AdventHealth to Open New Hospital in Winter Haven; Orlando Health to Expand Into Lakeland

by PAUL CATALA

Healthcare facilities are expanding at an astounding rate to match the population boom and increased need in Central Florida.

AdventHealth is expanding its footprint in Polk County with a new four-story hospital and emergency department off Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven. In Lakeland, Orlando Health is expanding, planning a hospital and surrounding campus in the fast-growing South Lakeland area.

This planned construction is further evidence of the growth in Polk County, which expanded from 603,000 residents in 2010 to 753,500 by 2021.

AdventHealth, a Seventh-Day Adventist nonprofit healthcare system headquartered in Altamonte Springs, recently announced its plans for a new, four-story hospital in Winter Haven.

The 42 acres north of Cypress Gardens Boulevard, south of River Lake and west of Cypress Gardens Road will eventually become a medical campus for the 192-bed AdventHealth Winter Haven hospital with an emergency department and 160,000 square feet of medical offices and ancillary facilities.

The AdventHealth expansion plans were given final approval when the Winter Haven City Commission unanimously approved the development November 14. 

“The southeast section of Winter Haven is growing in leaps and bounds, and this will make it a lot easier when time is sensitive for medical issues for the citizens to get medical care,” says Winter Haven City Commissioner J.P. Powell. 

“It’s necessary. The other alternative was going to Lake Wales or Haines City, and with medical issues. time is of the essence. It will be a real asset.”

According to AdventHealth, the first phase of construction will include a freestanding emergency room that will open before the hospital is completed. Once open, hospital services will include primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedic, and urological specialty medical services.

Tim Clark, president and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk Market, has worked at AdventHealth for 19 years in various positions. He started as president and CEO of the Polk Market on June 5. He says the new hospital will bring “whole-person care to residents close to home,” particularly in the southeast section of Winter Haven. 

Once completed, the new hospital will be part of a network of AdventHealth centers already operational in areas such as Carrollwood (Tampa), Dade City, Lake Placid, Lake Wales, Sebring, and Wauchula. It will also be among five freestanding offsite AdventHealth emergency rooms, including those in Brandon, Palm Harbor and Tampa’s

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Healthy Longevity | The Nutrition Source

Vera
Healthy Longevity | The Nutrition Source

Longevity is the achievement of a long life. We may hope for longevity so that we can experience many years of quality time with loved ones or have time to explore the world. But living to a ripe old age doesn’t necessarily mean healthy or happy longevity if it is burdened by disability or disease. The population of people over age 65 has grown more quickly than other age groups due to longer life spans and declining birth rates, and yet people are living more years in poor health. [1] Therefore, we will explore not just one’s lifespan but healthspan, which promotes more healthy years of life.

What you do today can transform your healthspan or how you age in the future. Although starting early is ideal, it’s never too late to reap benefits.

Five Key Lifestyle Factors

Researchers from Harvard University looked at factors that might increase the chances of a longer life. [2] Using data collected from men and women from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study who were followed for up to 34 years, researchers identified five low-risk lifestyle factors: healthy diet, regular exercise (at least 30 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous activity), healthy weight (as defined by a body mass index of 18.5-24.9), no smoking, and moderate alcohol intake (up to 1 drink daily for women, and up to 2 daily for men). Compared with those who did not incorporate any of these lifestyle factors, those with all five factors lived up to 14 years longer.

In a follow-up study, the researchers found that those factors might contribute to not just a longer but also a healthier life. [2] They saw that women at age 50 who practiced four or five of the healthy habits listed above lived about 34 more years free of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, compared with 24 more disease-free years in women who practiced none of these healthy habits. Men practicing four or five healthy habits at age 50 lived about 31 years free of chronic disease, compared with 24 years among men who practiced none. Men who were current heavy smokers, and men and women with obesity, had the lowest disease-free life expectancy.

  1. Healthy diet – The prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure) and dementia increases with age. Eating patterns such as those from the DASH, MIND, and Mediterranean diets can lower the risk
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Recommendations to improve health and wellbeing of individuals incarcerated in U.S. prisons

Vera
Recommendations to improve health and wellbeing of individuals incarcerated in U.S. prisons

Adequately funded policies and procedures are needed to reduce health care disparities in access to and the quality of health care for the U.S. jail and prison population says the American College of Physicians (ACP) in a new policy paper published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Health Care During Incarceration: A Policy Position Paper of the American College of Physicians details recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals incarcerated in adult correctional facilities.

ACP has a long-standing commitment to improving the health of all Americans and opposes any form of discrimination in the delivery of health care services, which extends to our patients who are incarcerated. Many incarcerated patients are dealing with significant unmet health care needs that can include chronic medical conditions, infectious diseases, substance use disorders and mental health conditions. We need to ensure that these patients receive the health care services they need.”


Ryan D. Mire, MD, MACP, President, ACP

ACP’s recommendations include adequate funding for and timely access to necessary health care services that are evidence-based and meet community standards. They also recommend measures to ensure adequate nutrition; opportunity for physical activity; smoke-free policies and smoking cessation interventions; and access to recommended preventive health services. ACP further calls for policies to adequately treat both chronic noncommunicable diseases and infectious diseases. This should include infectious disease prevention and control programs developed with public health authorities. In addition, all persons entering correctional facilities should be screened for substance use disorders and behavioral health conditions and provided with treatment if necessary.  ACP also supports policies that promote the treatment of patients with substance use disorders as an alternative incarceration.

The paper also details recommendations for population segments within correctional facilities. This includes recommendations for how to better meet the needs of incarcerated women; LGBTQ+ patients; aging patients and those living with disabilities or life-limiting illnesses; and immigrant populations.

Lastly, the paper details how health care needs must be included in community re-entry planning for individuals who are released from jail or prison, so that they are able to continue to access health care and social services once they return to their communities. ACP specifically makes recommendations for policies that would help to facilitate or reinstate state Medicaid enrollment.

“Incarceration can negatively affect the health and well-being of millions of patients, their families and communities across America,” concluded Dr. Mire. “As a

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Attacks on Health Care Bi-Monthly News Brief: 02 – 15 November 2022 – World

Vera
Attacks on Health Care Bi-Monthly News Brief: 02 – 15 November 2022 – World

SHCC Attacks on Health Care

The section aligns with the definition of attacks on health care used by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC).

Africa

Burkina Faso

03 November 2022: In Bondokuy village, Mouhoun province, Boucle du Mouhoun region, an ambulance and a motorcycle were seized by suspected JNIM militants. Source: ACLED1

Cameroon

03 November 2022: In Batibo town and subdivision, Northwest region, unidentified perpetrators abducted nine health workers from a government-run hospital. Sources: FX Empire and Reuters

Democratic Republic of the Congo

22 October 2022: In Some village, Mambasa territory, Ituri province, suspected members of rebel group Allied Democratic Forces looted pharmacies during an attack. Source: Radio Moto

07 November 2022: In Djugu territory, Ituri province, the International Committee of the Red Cross restarted their activities in the area after having been suspended since 2001 following the killing of six Red Cross aid workers. Sources: Actualité and Radio Moto

09 November 2022: In Kabasha village, located on the road between Butembo and Beni cities,
North Kivu province, more than 200 heavily armed members of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) entered the village and looted the hospital centre of Kabasha before setting it on fire.
A male doctor found at the hospital centre was also kidnapped, while hospital patients were threatened. The perpetrators burnt down fourteen local shops including pharmacies. Sources:
Actualité I, Actualité II, La Prunelle, Radio Moto I, Radio Moto II, and Radio Okapi

Attacks on Health Care in the DRC

At least 25 health workers have been kidnapped in the DRC between 01 January and 20 October 2022. Download the dataset with details on the reported perpetrator and weapons used on HDX. The dataset does not yet include incidents reported in this News Brief. Registered HDX user? Follow us for the latest dataset updates.

Kenya

01 November 2022: Near Mandera town and county, along the Kenya-Ethiopia-Somalia border, al Shabaab militants hijacked a government ambulance that was on its way to the Elwak Referral Hospital, and abducted four men – the driver, two paramedics of the Lafey Health Centre, and a 40-year-old patient – taking them towards Somalia. The medics and the patient were released the next day, while the driver was set free on 03 November. Sources: AA, Al Jazeera, All Africa, Garowe,
Nation, Reuters, The Standard, The Star and Voice of America

Niger

05 November 2022: Between Arlit and Tchibarakaten departments, Agadez

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Black Friday deals: Fitness, home health and home tech

Vera
Black Friday deals: Fitness, home health and home tech

Refresh

Save on one of our favourite rowing machines

Hydrow Wave being tested by Harry Bullmore for LIve Science

(Image credit: Harry Bullmore)

The Hydrow Wave offers a similar premium performance to the original Hydrow Rower but it comes in a smaller, more affordable package. It’s now cheaper than ever too, with the brand slashing the price by more than $100 on its website. 

When we tested the Wave back in September, we liked its lightweight design and the fact it’s $1,000 cheaper than the original Hydrow rower, making it more accessible to a wider range of people. In fact, we liked it so much, it features in our guide to the best rowing machines as the “most suitable for beginners”. If the Hydrow doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other rowing machines on sale this Black Friday. But don’t delay as stocks won’t last forever.

This Theragun deal saves you $100 on a top massage gun

man using the theragun prime massage gun

(Image credit: Theragun)

Say goodbye to stubborn knots and achy muscles. Once armed with one of the best massage guns, like the Theragun Prime, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without these super sonic post-workout recovery devices. 

Right now you can save yourself an impressive $101 at Best Buy thanks to the incredible 30% Black Friday discount which has just dropped. This brilliant piece of tech is equipped with QuietForce technology for low sound and delivers up to 30lbs of force to help release tightness and warm up muscles. All this for $198.99? We’re sold.

Grab this great resistance band deal from Target

Benefits of resistance bands: image shows woman using resitance band

(Image credit: Getty)

Take your workouts to new heights with 35% off this handy resistance band set from Target (opens in new tab). For $25.99, you can add some extra resistance to your at-home gym sessions with five exercise bands that come with varying levels of resistance, a door anchor and two cushioned handles. This means you can adapt them for different exercises. 

Discover even more of the best resistance bands on sale now.

Save on the latest Fitbit Versa

Fitbit Versa 4 being tested by Live Science contributor Andrew Williams

(Image credit: Andrew Williams)

Save a bundle on one of the best fitness trackers this Black Friday. We like the Versa 4 for its multi-day battery life, nicely animated interface and distinctive design. The Fitbit Versa 4 launched in September 2022 alongside the Fitbit Sense 2 and two years after the Fitbit Versa 3. Our reviewer concluded the side button is the one

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Healthy Lifestyle Changes Can Help Prevent Prediabetes, Diabetes

Vera
Healthy Lifestyle Changes Can Help Prevent Prediabetes, Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month, and health experts believe Tennesseans can reverse prediabetes, and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Tobi Amosun, assistant commissioner of family health and wellness for the Tennessee Department of Health, said in prediabetes, when a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal but haven’t spiked high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes, patients often show no symptoms.

“A prediabetes level is considered when you have a hemoglobin A1C level of between 5.7% and 6.4%. If you’re 5.6% and less, you’re in the normal range; 6.5% and higher, you’re in the diabetes range,” Amosun outlined.

About 730,000 Tennesseans have been diagnosed with diabetes, which is 13.6% of the adult population in the state. Amosun emphasized, if left untreated, the condition becomes more serious over time, causing such health problems as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, vision problems and kidney disease.

Amosun pointed out obesity and family history are among the risk factors for prediabetes and diabetes. She explained the obesity data they are seeing across the state is showing more obesity concerns among men than women, and in rural populations compared to urban. It also tends to be higher among people of color. And among children, she said, four of 10 in Tennessee are obese.

“Pediatric obesity, we know about 40% of Tennessee children in K-12 are either overweight or obese,” Amosun reported. “Overweight or obese means that they’re hitting the 85th percentile for their Body Mass Index or higher.”

Every day, 7.5 million Americans rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels and help prevent the complications of living with diabetes.

Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer for employer and individual business at UnitedHealthcare, noted beginning Jan. 1, UnitedHealthcare has decided its eligible members will pay nothing out-of-pocket for short and long-acting insulin.

“So we’re really, really hoping that eliminating the out-of-pocket expense for insulin helps reduce that burden of paying for that insulin and that cost and financial burden,” Brady stated. “People will be able to be better adherent to their medications and take them more regularly.”

Doctors pointed out during the pandemic, a lot of people skipped their routine wellness visits to check things like blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Diabetes is manageable and even preventable, with medical checkups, a healthy diet and regular exercise.

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