Polk County

A survey of more than 2,000 Polk County residents found that 42% needed health care but were unable to receive it last year.

A survey of more than 2,000 Polk residents found that 42% needed health care but were unable to receive it last year.

HCA Florida’s two freestanding emergency rooms in Lakeland – one opens Dec. 23 – are part of a wave of new facilities in this Central Florida town.

After Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo came to Polk County and called fluoridation a “public health malpractice,” city commissioners said they would need to learn more before they could vote on the issue.

Founder Jason DeShazo, known locally as drag performer "Momma Ashley Rose," said the center will expand in early 2025 to encompass the other half of the building it's renting.

State officials say there is no outbreak in the region. The cases were made public days after the Florida Department of Health reported its 10th case since mid-February.

The highly contagious disease was reported by someone 20 to 24 years old in Polk. It's unknown if it's connected to a school outbreak in Broward, where a case involving a child under 5 was confirmed.

Katie Seeright's daughter, Adeline, suffers from Aicardi syndrome, which prevents the 6-year-old from being able to take care of herself.

Polk County is working to make sure the odds of malaria spreading northward from Sarasota are as low as possible.

The new Lakeland clinic could help reduce wait times and how far veterans in Polk County have to travel for care.