On This Week in Health, Letisha Bereola and Dr. Joe Sirven explore three studies that show how everyday experiences—from dental work to childbirth to driving—are deeply connected to our long‑term health.

• Root Canals May Help the Heart and Metabolism
  A first‑of‑its‑kind study from King’s College London followed 65 patients for two years and found that treating an infected tooth with a root canal was linked to better blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation levels. Dr. Joe says it’s a powerful reminder that dental health is whole‑body health, not a separate category.
• Hospitals Find Simple Ways to Safely Cut C‑Section Rates
  New analysis from the Leapfrog Group and New York State highlights hospitals that have reduced C‑sections for low‑risk births using low‑tech strategies like midwife‑led care, checklists, feedback on each doctor’s C‑section rate, and better education about induction. With U.S. rates stuck around 32%—well above recommended targets—Dr. Joe calls these changes overdue and notes that avoiding unnecessary surgery reduces recovery time, costs, and complications for parents and babies.
• Can Driving Data Flag Early Cognitive Decline?
  A Neurology journal study of nearly 300 older adults over three years found that patterns in driving—such as fewer trips, avoiding night driving, more speeding, or getting lost—could help identify mild cognitive impairment, especially when combined with age, cognitive tests, and genetics. Dr. Joe explains that modern cars are “computers on wheels,” and while these data may offer early warnings, they also raise unsettling questions about privacy and who learns about health changes first: you, your family, or a company.

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In today’s episode, we look at a major change in Jacksonville’s sports landscape as Prospector Baseball Group takes ownership of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, with the new owners pledging to build on the teams’ strong community ties. We also examine new data from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office showing a decline in drug overdose deaths.

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The Duval County School District is facing two new lawsuits from teachers who were removed from their classrooms after posting on social media about the death of commentator Charlie Kirk. The suits allege the district violated their constitutional free speech rights. Also today, Baptist Health is donating $250,000 to Feeding Northeast Florida to help address food insecurity, part of a broader effort to expand access to fresh food and improve community health.

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Diana Sullivan was reunited with her three children in May, 19 months after the state removed them following a hospital visit where X-rays of her infant daughter’s swollen leg revealed multiple fractures—injuries the family believes were caused by a metabolic bone disorder. This episode explores how a child abuse determination by a child abuse pediatrician with a controversial history in other states set the case in motion, and highlights wider concerns about overly zealous CAPs, including those scrutinized in high‑profile journalism and lawsuits involving multiple families.

 Host Anne Schindler speaks with Sullivan and former Northeast Florida regional DCF Chief David Abramowitz about the ripple effects of wrongful abuse claims, the pressures and pitfalls of making child abuse determinations, and how a system meant to protect children can inflict lasting harm when it gets cases wrong.

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The Jacksonville City Council is set to take a final vote Tuesday on a $15 million funding package that would support campus projects at Edward Waters University and the University of North Florida, along with several workforce development initiatives. Also today, Jacksonville’s new Riverfront Plaza is officially open on the Northbank.

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Jacksonville Today Associate Editor Mike Mendenhall is joined by Education Reporter Megan Mallicoat and Race and Equity Reporter Will Brown to unpack Duval County Public Schools’ latest round of school closures. Megan explains how a dire-sounding 100 million dollar budget gap gave way to a new “efficiency” argument, and what she found by digging into financial records and board meetings, while Will shares what he’s hearing from families on the Eastside as 100‑plus–year‑old neighborhood schools like Long Branch face consolidation. Together, they take listeners inside their tag‑team reporting process—combining documents, history, and lived experience to show what these decisions mean for kids, commutes, and communities.

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In today’s episode, we look at the turmoil on the St. Johns County Commission after a vote ousted the newly reappointed chair. We also check in on Florida’s changing weather pattern, as much-needed rain brings both relief and the potential for localized flooding.

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This morning, we look at a decision from the State Attorney’s Office, which found a Jacksonville police officer’s shooting of an unarmed 14-year-old last month to be lawful. We also break down new estimates showing a $100 million increase in the projected cost of renovating EverBank Stadium, with city and team officials outlining how the additional expenses will be covered.

Note: This episode was uploaded late due to technical difficulties.

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Letisha and Dr. Joe turn headlines into practical steps you can use right now:

• Tired, anxious, not sleeping? Try a scroll reset. Cutting social media to 30 minutes a day for a week was linked to less depression, anxiety, and insomnia in young adults. Dr. Joe says don’t overthink it—set app limits, swap a scroll for a short walk, and notice how you feel.
• Finally: crash tests that include women’s bodies. The new female crash dummy should push automakers to build protection that matches real-world risks for women. It’s late—but it’s progress that could change airbag and seatbelt design for the better.
• Sick and guessing? Don’t. Test. Cold, flu, and COVID look alike, but treatments differ. A quick test helps you get the right meds faster (think Paxlovid for COVID, Tamiflu for flu) and protects family and coworkers during the holidays.

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St. Johns County has approved a new ban on smoking and vaping in its parks and on its beaches, a move prompted in part by local students concerned about youth access to discarded vape pens. We’ll explain what the new rules allow—and what they don’t. Plus, the Duval County School Board has adopted a new process for reviewing challenged books, shifting how committee members are selected.

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