A survey from AAA found that 66% of Florida adults have seen children riding e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets, while 83% support helmet requirements. AAA urges riders to wear properly fitted helmets certified for their devices' speed and capabilities. more

In a UnitedHealthcare survey, 62% of college students and young adults not enrolled in college reported a mental or behavioral health concern in the past year. Dr. Danielle Madril recommends open conversations, careful use of AI tools, and greater awareness of professional and community resources. more

The Florida Blue Foundation is awarding $3.1 million to eight community-based initiatives addressing food insecurity across the state. The programs will serve students, farmworkers, uninsured residents, people experiencing homelessness, and rural communities. more

Health officials have confirmed two additional locally acquired dengue fever cases in the Apopka area, prompting a mosquito alert for Orange County. Mosquito Control is expanding surveillance and targeted treatment in Apopka, Pine Hills, and other parts of the county. more

Orange County Mosquito Control has added new laboratory technology to detect viruses in mosquito samples more quickly. The PCR testing capability could deliver same-day results, reduce costs, and improve mitigation efforts. more

Quest, Inc. has been selected as a 2026 AdventHealth grant partner to help reduce transportation barriers for people with developmental disabilities. The funding will allow the Central Florida nonprofit to enhance its accessible transportation fleet and improve connections to healthcare services. more

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is sharing his experience with Stage 1 prostate cancer to encourage men to discuss screening and risk factors with their doctors. After undergoing surgery earlier this year, Demings says early detection gave him more treatment options and helped save his life. more

Florida lawmakers are seeking answers about when—or whether—the state will implement a legislatively approved expansion of Florida KidCare. The expansion would extend subsidized coverage to children in families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, but litigation over continuous eligibility remains unresolved. more

A steady stream of recall notices and social media posts may make the nation’s food supply seem less safe, but a UF/IFAS expert says current recall numbers are generally consistent with previous years. Consumers should review the specific products, brands, and lot numbers involved rather than avoiding an entire category of food. more

The City of Apopka has issued a precautionary boil-water advisory for several neighborhoods and businesses following a water main break on Welch Road east of Rock Springs Road. Customers should boil water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes until the city lifts the advisory. more

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County will offer free or low-cost mammograms in Winter Garden on September 30. Eligible women can receive screenings aboard the 3D Mobile Mammography bus from 8 am to 4 pm. more

AdventHealth is supporting 13 Central Florida nonprofits working to improve housing stability, food access, transportation, and maternal health. The grants are expected to help the organizations serve more than 123,200 people, including families in the Apopka area. more

The Florida Blue Foundation is accepting grant applications from nonprofits working to improve maternal health outcomes statewide. Approximately $3 million will support programs addressing chronic health conditions, maternal mental health, and barriers to care in rural and under-resourced communities. more

AdventHealth will host hiring events at eight Central Florida locations, including AdventHealth Apopka, from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesday. Clinical professionals can meet hiring managers, participate in on-site interviews, and potentially receive same-day offers for select positions. more

Apopka groups will rally September 8 urging Costa Farms to join Planting Justice and address labor and human rights concerns among plant nursery workers. more

Orange County has increased mosquito surveillance and targeted treatments following reports of elevated West Nile virus activity and a locally acquired dengue case. Officials are asking residents to help reduce the risk by eliminating standing water and taking precautions against mosquito bites. more

Orange County Mosquito Control is concentrating spraying efforts in targeted areas after health officials confirmed a locally acquired case of dengue fever. Residents are encouraged to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate standing water around their homes. more

More than 4,000 Florida children were hospitalized with firearm injuries from 2018 through 2024, with a small number of ZIP codes accounting for a disproportionate share of the cases. Orange County’s 32805 ZIP code recorded the state’s highest rate. more

Federal SNAP reductions could affect Florida classrooms by weakening the formulas that fund free school breakfast and lunch programs. Most Orange County Public Schools students remain covered this year, but declining enrollment in assistance programs could reduce future federal reimbursements. more

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida asks residents to take at least one action to fight hunger in September. Community members can donate, volunteer, attend an event, advocate for hunger relief, or wear orange for Hunger Action Day. more

The Rotary Club of Apopka will assemble 100 rescue backpacks for children and adults recovered from human trafficking situations across Central Florida. The community service project begins at 5 p.m. Sept. 3 at First Methodist Church of Apopka. more

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County is reporting increased mosquito-borne disease activity after several sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus. Health and mosquito-control officials have expanded surveillance and targeted treatments in affected communities. more

Moderna and Merck announced that their personalized mRNA vaccine, intismeran autogene, reduced melanoma recurrence when combined with Keytruda, marking the first successful late-stage trial of an mRNA cancer vaccine. The breakthrough has a Central Florida connection: an Orlando cancer center participated in an earlier trial of the melanoma vaccine, while AdventHealth Cancer Institute has also tested personalized mRNA vaccine technology against bladder cancer. more

Nearly 11 million people worldwide are expected to contract measles this year, according to the World Health Organization. Although safe and effective vaccines are available, supply shortages and declining vaccination rates have left millions of children vulnerable. more

Florida’s Affordable Care Act enrollment fell by 450,000 people in 2026 after enhanced federal subsidies expired and premiums rose an average of 37% nationally. Although Florida’s 10% decline was proportionally smaller than losses in several other states, it represented the largest numerical decrease in the nation. more