Florida Trend Exclusive
The heart of the matter
Nearly 50,000 Floridians a year die of heart disease, and nine of the 10 counties in Florida with the highest death rates are rural. Limited access to health care, behaviors like smoking and not getting enough exercise, and social determinants of health (including income, education and employment status) are among the factors contributing to poorer heart health in rural regions, according to the American Heart Association. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida law models what genetic disease testing could be
In Florida, a new genetic disease screening program allows parents of newborns to receive free whole genome sequencing at birth, putting the state at the forefront of newborn screening. The five-year pilot program, created in July via the Sunshine Genetics Act, is paid for by a mix of private and state funding, and requires parents to opt in to have their child tested. [Source: CNBC]
Measles is spreading across Florida. The state's updates lag more than a week
New cases of measles are popping up across Florida, with 15 illnesses confirmed statewide, according to data from the Florida Department of Health. But other cases, including 20 in Collier County and one in Pinellas County, don't show up on the department's website. It updates every Thursday, and by then the information is many days old. As of Monday, the case count ends Jan. 31. [Source: WUSF]
Florida abortions down by half since Roe as more women travel for procedure
The number of abortions provided in Florida has fallen by roughly half since the state introduced stricter laws after the repeal of Roe vs. Wade in 2022, new data shows. Just over 44,200 abortions were provided by Florida clinics last year, the fewest for more than a decade and a 46% drop from 2022 when more than 82,000 terminations were recorded. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Despite vast elderly population, Florida lags other states in stopping Medicaid fraud
In Florida, a state with more elderly people than any other, state government officials lag their peers in deterring fraud in a popular taxpayer-financed program for the elderly poor and disabled, an investigation by The Center Square found. In 2022, the latest year for which comparative data are available, Florida ranked a distant third among states at recovering Medicaid dollars, at $88.3 million, according to the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, a professional organization. [Source: The Center Square]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Free UF dentistry event expands access to care for Gainesville-area children
The University of Florida College of Dentistry recently held its annual event that offers free dental sealants, dental exams and fluoride treatments for ages 1 to 17, pairing preventive care with games and activities designed to help young patients feel comfortable in a dental setting. The atmosphere is carefully created by UF dental students, many of whom volunteer their time while gaining hands-on experience working with young patients.
› Hospital's new facility dog, Joy, lives up to her name with ER patients and families
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola's new facility dog, Joy, has been on duty for a couple of months now. The golden retriever is the newest member of the Sacred Paws Team that works alongside hospital staff to comfort patients and their families when they're most in need. Joy spends a lot of time in Sacred Heart's emergency room and Level 1 trauma center — the only trauma center in Northwest Florida with the top-level designation. She's specifically assigned to comfort adult patients and their families experiencing traumatic injuries.
› Jacksonville University and Mayo Clinic offer new nursing program
Jacksonville University and Mayo Clinic of Florida have announced they will offer a master’s degree program that will help individuals with bachelor’s degrees in other fields transition into nursing. The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program will begin this fall at Jacksonville University’s Keigwin School of Nursing and Mayo Clinic.
› Moffitt plants flag in St. Petersburg's Innovation District, as partner in Gas Plant proposal
A collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center is now part of a proposal to reimagine the area around Tropicana Field. However, the renowned medical institution already has a home in St. Petersburg. Scientific experts from Moffitt are moving into spARK Labs, despite uncertainty over who Mayor Ken Welch will select to oversee the Historic Gas Plant District’s rebirth.