DailyRidge

September 17, 2026

Polk Mosquito Control Steps Up Dengue Prevention As Cases Rise In Nearby Counties

Polk County Mosquito Control is increasing prevention efforts as health officials continue tracking dengue cases in neighboring counties.A Polk County news release issued Sept. 15 does not report any locally acquired human dengue cases in Polk County. Instead, officials are urging residents to take

Staff Reporter

August 5, 2026

Protein-Packed Snacking for Back-to-School Season

As busy families prepare for hectic school days, it can be invaluable to have nutritious grab-and-go options on hand for lunches and snacks. Having one less thing to worry about makes a difference when you’re juggling work, school, sports practices and games, and other extracurriculars while trying

Allison

July 28, 2026

If You’re Feeling Stressed by Pricey Meds, Pharmacists Can Help

If your wallet is feeling the squeeze of prescription drug costs as other living expenses like grocery and energy prices rise, you’re not alone.More people are worrying about affording essential medications these days. In fact, more than 40% of adults said they skipped doses or didn’t fill prescript

Allison

June 30, 2026

Saving a Life This Summer: Ways to Step Up Safety Practices

The busy summer season can take you almost anywhere – baseball fields, backyard cookouts, long workdays or road trips across the country. Regardless of where you are, summer is a reminder that emergencies like cardiac arrest can happen anywhere.More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur

Allison

June 23, 2026

Behind the Product: What Sustainability Looks Like in Beauty Development

Shoppers are paying closer attention to the products they bring into their homes. They want to know what ingredients are used, how items are packaged and whether the production process includes thoughtful choices. Beauty brands are taking note, and sustainability is increasingly shaping decisions ac

Allison

June 17, 2026

Loneliness Affects 1 in 6 People Globally. New Research Reveals the Childhood Experiences That Help Adults Thrive

Kids have more ways to connect than ever. They can text, scroll, game, comment and chat all before they even leave the house. Yet for many young people, all that connection does not necessarily translate into feeling known, useful or part of something larger than themselves.The World Health Organiza

Allison

June 9, 2026

A Win for Your Skin: 4 Steps to Support Skin Health

A bit of shade and diligent sunscreen use can go a long way, but protecting your skin – the body’s largest organ – takes more than just the basics for optimal health, particularly during the hottest times of the year.In fact, it’s not only about what you put on your body, but in it, too. Emerging re

Allison

June 2, 2026

Cost Management for a Healthy, Happy Furry Friend: 5 Ways to Save Money While Giving Your Pet Excellent Care

You’re not imagining it – like many goods and services, pet care costs have gone up.In fact, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance reported a 38% increase in pet services over the past five years with pet parents spending more than $4,200 a year on routine expenses for a cat or dog.Lots of factors are driving

Allison

May 26, 2026

59% of Americans Worry About Sunscreen Chemicals. Only 32% Understand How Sunsreen Works

Many Americans think of sunscreen at the beach. Fewer consider wearing it for the drive there. And many are questioning if they should wear sunscreen at all.These trends, uncovered in a new national survey from the nonprofit Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), highlight a central challenge in skin can

Allison

May 19, 2026

9 Steps for a Lifetime of Heart-Healthy Eating

More than half of adults and about 60% of children in the United States have unhealthy diets, which can contribute to higher rates of health factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, and lead directly to poor health outcomes including death from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disea

Allison

May 12, 2026

Awareness is Key: 3 Steps to Help Recognize Stroke Signs and Risks for Better Outcomes

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age.In fact, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, with approximately 800,000 people experiencing a stroke annually, according to the American Heart Association, making it a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability.A stroke h

Allison

May 6, 2026

Stopping the ‘Silent Killer:’ How to Check, Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure poses significant health risks for people of all ages, but there are effective ways to both prevent and manage this “silent killer” by working with a health care professional to make lifestyle changes.Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is when the force of blood flo

Allison

April 28, 2026

Join the Fight Against ALS: Register and Make a Difference

Every year, doctors tell more than 5,000 Americans they have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS. It is a life-changing diagnosis.Still, it’s hard to estimate the total number of ALS cases in the United States. No one knows what causes most cases of ALS, something the U.S.National ALS

Allison

April 21, 2026

Shingles Raises Heart and Stroke Risk: Protect Yourself with Vaccination

Shingles isn’t just a painful rash and nerve pain. It’s also linked with a higher risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, especially in the weeks to months after infection. However, shingles is largely preventable with vaccination.The world’s leading nonprofit organ

Allison

April 14, 2026

3 Ways Pharmacists Can Help Maximize Your GLP-1 Experience

Roughly 1 in 8 American adults take GLP-1 medications for diabetes or weight loss and the number continues growing, according to a recent KFF Health poll. People considering these drugs understandably have many questions, ranging from which GLP-1 would be best, what side effects might they experienc

Allison

April 8, 2026

Heart Risks Go Beyond the Heart: Don’t Forget to Check Blood Sugar and Kidney Health

Diabetes and kidney disease are major risk factors for heart disease, yet many cases are undiagnosed. In fact, most people don’t realize their heart, kidney and metabolic health — how the body creates, uses and stores energy — are connected. Understanding these connections can help you take steps to

Allison

April 2, 2026

Neurodivergent Diversions: Theory of Mind—and How Autistic People Struggle with It

by James CoulterImagine two girls playing with dolls. One girl is named Sally; the other, Anne. Sally puts her doll in a toy chest before leaving the room. Anne removes the doll from the chest and hides it in the closet.When Sally comes back, where does she go to look for her doll? The toy chest? Or

Staff Reporter

March 30, 2026

How to Practice Thoughtful Grief Etiquette Online

Grief Etiquette in the Digital Age: Why Timing Matters When Sharing Loss OnlineIn today’s fast-paced digital world, news of a death can spread within seconds—often before families have the chance to notify loved ones privately. Experts say this reality is prompting an important conversation about ho

Allison

March 24, 2026

Balancing Healthy Habits in Everyday Life

Most people don’t set out to ignore their health. It usually slips down the list somewhere between the morning alarm and the last email of the day. Breakfast gets rushed or skipped. Exercise is postponed until tomorrow. Sleep is cut short to catch up on everything else. By the end of the week, healt

Allison

March 17, 2026

Walk More to Stress Less: Get Moving to Improve Well-Being

More than 10 years ago, a mere five words frightened desk jockeys everywhere: “sitting is the new smoking.” Still, many people across the U.S. are walking less than they used to. Long days spent sitting can take a toll over time, negatively impacting bodies and minds.Research from the American Heart

Allison

March 10, 2026

A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Picky Eating with Confidence

For families with young children, mealtimes can often feel like negotiations or even battles. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Picky eating is one of the most universal challenges families face.With the right strategies, parents can reduce stress, build healthier habits and help children b

Allison

March 3, 2026

5 Trends in Heart Health Among Younger Adults: Why Your CoQ10 Level Matters

Heart disease is something many adults push to the back of their minds if they are not experiencing symptoms; a concern for “later” in life. However, that mindset may be changing.New research suggests younger generations are thinking about their cardiovascular health earlier and with greater urgency

Allison

February 25, 2026

Your Child’s Oral Health: A Foundation for Better Overall Health

Good oral health sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles and better overall health. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) help eligible families access affordable and comprehensive care for their children and teens, including regular cleanings, fillings, X-rays, and mor

Allison

February 18, 2026

Stacking Healthy Habits for Progress, Not Perfection

Despite the best of intentions, it’s common for plans to build healthier habits to fall flat. Often, the culprit isn’t a lack of motivation or discipline; rather, it’s unrealistic expectations.Overhauling your lifestyle requires a level of commitment that isn’t always practical.Understanding your pe

Allison