Lyme disease is on the rise in Florida, but experts don't know why
Lyme disease is on the rise in Florida, but experts don’t know why
Historically concentrated in New England, the disease has mostly been a seasonal issue in warmer months when ticks are prevalent in wooded areas. But data collected by Quest Diagnostics, a national clinical laboratory, found increasing Lyme disease cases in all 50 states, with a significant rise in places like California and Florida. More from the Tampa Bay Times and Outbreak News Today.
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A healthier approach: Hotelier Harris Rosen makes health care a priority
Hotelier Harris Rosen has a small empire, with nine hotels around Orlando. You might not expect to find out that Rosen is also an innovator in health care. Since 1991, Rosen Hotels & Resorts has been self-insuring. Full story here.
Adventist Health System announces plans to become AdventHealth
Altamonte Springs-based Adventist Health System, one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems, with nearly 50 hospital campuses and 80,000 employees, will change its name and become AdventHealth. More in this news release.
Florida's Democratic candidates push for expanded health coverage
Reflecting the same fault lines that have emerged nationally, Florida’s Democratic and Republican candidates for governor are deeply split over whether the state should take a more direct role in providing health care. [Source: WLRN]
Mike Carroll leaving DCF, replacement to be announced
Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll is leaving the agency effective Sept. 6. Carroll has served at DCF and its predecessor, the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, since January 1990. More from WUSF, Florida Politics, and the Times/Herald.
› Mayo Clinic selects Jacksonville campus CEO as its next President and CEO for entire system [Health News Florida]
The head of Mayo Clinic’s Jacksonville campus has been elected as the health organization’s next CEO. Gianrico Farrugia, the current CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida, will succeed John Noseworthy, as president and CEO of the whole Mayo Clinic, which has major campuses in Minnesota and Arizona.
› Duval County Health Department warns of increased West Nile Virus risk [Action News Jax]
The Duval County Health Department is warning families about an increase in mosquito-borne illness after several flocks of chickens in the county tested positive for West Nile virus. That means humans are more at risk of catching the infection.
› Flagler Hospital uses AI to create clinical pathways that enhance care and slash costs [Healthcare IT News]
Flagler Hospital in Saint Augustine, Florida, is using artificial intelligence tools to improve the treatment of pneumonia, sepsis and a dozen other high-cost, high-mortality conditions. Usually, it’s large academic medical centers or wide-ranging health systems, not community hospitals, that so aggressively use AI in attempts to improve care and trim costs.
› Hillsborough County suing opioid manufacturers [WUSF]
Hillsborough County is filing a lawsuit against drug companies that contributed to the opioid addiction crisis. County officials said more babies are born addicted to these drugs there than any other county in Florida and drug makers are to blame.