Adversity is a part of life. Difficult experiences can affect our health and well-being, especially when they happen during childhood. But those experiences do not have to define a person’s future.

Getting kids to eat their fruits and vegetables can sometimes feel easier said than done. Between busy schedules, picky eating, the convenience of processed foods, and the cost and availability of fresh foods, families can face plenty of obstacles to putting more produce on the plate.

And many children aren't getting enough. Dieticians identify modern youth nutrition as “overfed and undernourished.”

Food poisoning can happen to anyone. Each year, an estimated 48 million people in the United States get sick from a foodborne illness. About 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Foodborne illness can happen when food becomes contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or other harmful substances. Contamination can occur at many points—from growing and processing food to preparing it in a restaurant or your own kitchen. A recent outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to iceberg lettuce is a reminder that even foods we often eat raw can carry harmful germs or parasites.

What does quality improvement actually mean? And how does it improve the care patients receive? Dr. Russell Kohl, family physician and chief medical officer of TMF Health Quality Institute, recently appeared on AFMC TV to discuss quality improvement and why it is important for Arkansas and other rural states.

Routine dental checkups are a key part of preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health conditions. While there are some general rules of thumb when you walk into a dentist’s office, there may also be some things you never knew about oral health. Staff at Ake Family Dentistry in Little Rock have lent their expertise to discuss things dentists and dental hygienists want you to know about oral health.

Summer officially kicked off on June 22. And here in the Natural State, that means lakes, pools, rivers, creeks, and beaches will be full of people ready to catch some rays and enjoy the waves. With all of these opportunities come important lessons on water safety for patients of any age.