The two-dimensional scenes invite viewers to put themselves there. A vacant wooden swing hangs from the arm of a massive oak. ...more

March 6, 2009

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. Of those, about 200,000 people require hospitalization and 36,000 ultimately die. But imagine if, in addition to the stresses of cold and flu season, American health providers were annually confronted with widespread outbreaks of malaria or a host of other diseases that could spread into the United States due to global warming. ...more

January 3, 2009

The process to find a new director for the Highlands County Health Department is still ongoing following Dr. Paula Thaqi's resignation four months ago. ...more

August 12, 2008

SEBRING — When it comes to prevention of staph infections, Mom was right. A high school student from Virginia died recently after he was hospitalized with a staph infection, and one of five Hardee Senior High School football team members suffering from a staph infection was hospitalized after a reaction to medication. The Hardee outbreak was mentioned in a Tampa Bay-area TV station broadcast, but health officials say the scare is being overblown. Mothers and several local public health officials and health providers agree, the best way to prevent a staph infection is by washing your hands. ...more

October 19, 2007

The Aug. 30 story regarding our school health services left your readers with the misimpression that we do not have adequate health coverage in our schools. I'd like to set the record straight. ...more

September 6, 2007