Public Health

Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that The Sunshine State will become the first in the nation to remove the mandatory vaccination mandate for schoolchildren.

It’s the dog days of summer in SWFL. This means that children, seniors and people who work in the elements can be subjected to temperatures that can lead to heat related health risks.

Researchers are trying a new method to lower the mosquito population in Golden Gate City.

Much of Florida will experience July-like temperatures, with high heat indices to close the week. Many hot records will be broken or tied.

Aubrey Gordon is a well-informed voice on anti-fat bias as well as misinformation surrounding weight loss. She talks to us about her new book You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths about Fat People.

A settlement has now been reached requiring the Florida Department of Health to release COVID-19 data withheld from the public during the height of the pandemic.The Florida Center for Government Accountability and former State Representative Carols Guillermo Smith fought for release of the data in a two-year legal battle. We take a closer look at the settlement and what release of the hidden data will mean going forward in a conversation with Smith and the Florida Center for Government Accountability’s Michael Barfield.

Aubrey Gordon is a well-informed voice on anti-fat bias as well as misinformation surrounding weight loss. She talks to us about her new book You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths about Fat People.

In the health news this week, Florida Department of Health is rolling out an initiative to provide overdose prevention kits, and the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is reaching more Americans than the previous 10-digit number.

Health workers are continuing to provide life-saving COVID-19 information and other health resources throughout the community of Immokalee.

The proposed “Safe Waterways Act” by Calusa Waterkeeper would require the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to issue health advisories and post and maintain warning notices at “public bathing places” where the water has been found to contain fecal bacteria.