ORLANDO – The Physicians Society of Central Florida (PSCF) is calling upon public officials and the community at large to continue to encourage vaccination as the best defense for preventing severe illness and death from the COVID-19 virus.  Furthermore, the organization urges reflection and deliberation on the potential perils of limiting the communication of scientifically supported medical advice by physicians given the suspension of the Orange County Health Director, only as it pertains to his encouragement of the Department of Health employees to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

The PSCF reminds the community that vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most effective tool available for preventing severe illness and death from infection by the virus.   Clinicians across our community have seen the toll of the virus on those unvaccinated given the vast majority of patients that are hospitalized and in our intensive care units are those that are not fully vaccinated.

Furthermore, the organization strongly supports the independence of clinicians to offer sound medical advice based on current scientific literature without fear of repercussions. 

While we are certain the pandemic will end and our community will manage the lingering impacts of a COVID-19 endemic, future generations will be harmed greatly if physicians do not have the freedom to educate and counsel their patients and the public on the most effective, evidence-based ways to prevent disease and promote health.

While we cannot comment on the specifics surrounding the ongoing investigation, we encourage the state to act swiftly to resolve the situation so the Health Department can continue their work in preparing and caring for our community.  

About the Physicians Society of Central Florida (PSCF)

Founded in 1906 as the Orange County Medical Society and 1927 as the Seminole County Medical Society, the Physicians Society of Central Florida was created in 2019 as the Orange and Seminole County Medical Societies came together to unify physicians in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.  The PSCF represents physician members in the practice of medicine in Central Florida and is a leader in the region dedicated to promoting high quality medical care and the value of physician services through education, collaboration, clinical excellence, transparency, and the design of a fair and competitive healthcare marketplace.

“A new year is the perfect time to consider your personal goals, and how you can make positive health choices in the coming year,” says AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. “Small lifestyle changes today can have a lasting effect in improving your health.”

The AMA’s 10 recommendations for a healthier new year, include the following:

1. Make sure your family is up-to-date on their vaccines—including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older and the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age five and older. Anyone with questions about the COVID-19 vaccines should speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org . Following evidence-based public health measures, such as physical distancing and wearing face masks, is also vitally important to help protect against COVID-19.

2. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes—take a simple online 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org . Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, which is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization or death.

3. Know your blood pressure numbers—visit ManageYourBP.org to better understand your numbers and take necessary steps to get high blood pressure — also known as hypertension — under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

4. Manage stress—a good diet, sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), daily exercise and wellness activities, such as yoga and meditation, are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it.

5. Be more physically active—adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.

6. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar—eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods, such as olive oil, nuts and seeds to your diet. Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

7. If a health care professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed—antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

8. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

9. Talk with your doctor about tobacco and e-cigarette use (or vaping) and how to quit—declare your home and car smoke- and aerosol-free to eliminate secondhand exposure.

10. Pain medication is personal—if you are taking prescription opioids or other medications, follow your doctor’s instructions, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

The AMA also encourages everyone who is eligible to visit healthcare.gov to sign up for health coverage, which includes recent changes that improve access and affordability. The deadline to enroll for 2022 coverage is Jan. 15, 2022. More health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn.org .

The AMA is committed to improving the health of the nation by leading the charge to prevent and reduce the burden of chronic diseases, like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The AMA will continue its efforts aimed at helping the U.S. achieve no new preventable cases of type 2 diabetes and helping all adults meet their blood pressure goals to ensure patients live richer and fuller lives.

• The latest CDC data documents that the vaccination rate in all of our local counties remain below 80%.  

• All students under the age of 12 remain ineligible for vaccination which leaves them at continued risk for catching and passing along the virus.

• The positivity rate in the three-county region remains between 7% and 10% 

Support for Needle and Syringe Exchange Program in Orange County

ORLANDO – The Physicians Society of Central Florida is extremely pleased to support the enactment of proposed Orange County Code, Article VIII, Chapter 20, pertaining to Needle and Syringe Exchange Program in Orange County, Florida.

The Florida Medical Association and component County Medical Societies across the State have long supported the adoption of needle exchange programs as a data-driven solution for addressing the opioid crisis, lowering HIV and Hepatitis C transmission rates, and lowering overall health care costs for treatment of this patient population. 

A wealth of data has been published by the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) Program at the University of Miami that shows the beneficial impact that a similar program could have on our community.

One scientific paper authored by Dr. Hansel Tookes at the University of Miami examined the relationship between needle exchange programs and decreases in overdose related hospitalizations and found “a significant decrease in overdose-associated admissions among People Who Inject Opioids at a county safety-net hospital following the implementation of the IDEA-SSP in the setting of the contemporary Florida overdose crisis”.  https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-020-00376-1

Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control, Syringe Exchange Programs are also proven to be a cost-saving preventive intervention, saving the healthcare system over $400,000 for a lifetime of HIV medications, $94,000 for one course of the new Hepatitis C medications, and Jackson Memorial Hospital $11.4 million in healthcare costs associated with PWID in one year (while only spending $0.9 cents per syringe).

It is without hesitation that our organization encourages the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to adopt the Needle and Syringe Exchange Program.

About the Physicians Society of Central Florida (PSCF)

The PSCF was founded in 2019 as collaboration between the Orange and Seminole County Medical Societies.  The PSCF represents over 900 allopathic and osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole County.  Our mission is to advocate for the highest quality of health care, while ensuring freedom of choice, and access to affordable medical care.

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Physicians Society of Central Florida

522 South Hunt Club Blvd #412, Apopka, FL 32703

Phone: 844-234-7800  Website: www.pscfl.org