The Body Mass Index has become the standard for monitoring optimal health. However, other methods are becoming a doctors recommended path is predicting future ailments and diseases.

Community Blood Center, an affiliate of the NCH Healthcare System, is in critical need of platelets and types O negative and A negative blood, due to sudden and increased patient usage.

Southwest Florida is in the midst of mosquito season. The blood-sucking pests have the potential to bring a variety of diseases, including the dreaded West Nile virus.

The deaths caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacterium were in Hillsborough, Bay, Broward and St. Johns counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Kayem Foods is recalling approximately 24,173 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken sausage products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically pieces of plastic, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.The fully cooked chicken sausage item was produced by the Chelsea, Mass., establishment, on June 28, 2025.

In hundreds of pools across the U.S. and throughout the world on Thursday, a valuable lesson took place — children learned how to swim.Called The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson 2025, the global public relations event was supported by aquatic facilities, water parks, pools, swim schools, and YMCAs, among other venues.

In 2023, Florida received $205.7 million dollars as part of a multistate settlement with the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma. It was distributed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and Lee County received about $5,500,000. Last summer, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved a pilot phase of what's called a Paramedicine Program using some of that opioid settlement funding. That program was a success and last month, Lee Commissioners approved an agreement with Lee Health to create an expanded Community Paramedicine Program. It provides in-home care to individuals to reduce ambulance trips to emergency departments at hospitals for illnesses or injuries that are less likely to progress or develop complications.

Hormel Foods Corporation is recalling approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood.The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall Wednesday saying the product was shipped to retail locations nationwide.

When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), people tend to gather and offer support networks to help the person navigate the new reality. But what happens to those who are diagnosed with ASD later in life, as adults? Resources and support often are limited, if any.My Autism Connection (MAC), a non-profit organization located in Fort Myers, is helping to change that narrative by offering a safe, inclusive space for autistic adults ranging in age from 18 to 50.