Death rates from cancer, heart disease and diabetes are higher than the state average.
Category: Quality of Life
Posted inInsight Polk
There Aren’t Enough Doctors in Polk County
Polk County has half as many doctors and dentists per 100,000 residents as the state average, data shows.
Posted inInsight Polk
Polk Jumps to 28th for Child Health Among Florida Counties
Lower teen drinking and drug use is largely responsible for its rise from 54th two years ago.
Posted inInsight Polk
Watson Clinic Joins Forces With Orlando Health for New Hospital
Many Watson Clinic doctors will be on staff at the new Lakeland Highlands hospital when it opens in June 2026.
Posted inInsight Polk
Free Tax Prep Helps Polk County Residents Claim Often-Missed Benefits
United Way of Central Florida and AARP are offering free tax prep at sites around the county.
Posted inInsight Polk
Emergency Care Options Multiply as Four Hospital Systems Expand Into Lakeland
HCA Florida’s two freestanding emergency rooms – one of them opens Monday – are part of a wave of new facilities.
Posted inInsight Polk
Lakeland Residents Learn ‘Mental Health First Aid’ Ahead of Holidays
Pay attention to changes in loved ones’ appearance, thinking, emotional state or behavior, program says.
Posted inInsight Polk
Lakeland’s Lakes Have Recovered from Massive Wastewater Spills, City Says
Fecal coliform and E. coli levels were more than six times the contamination threshold in some lakes, but they have returned to normal.