Health

Free flu vaccines available across Shelby County

Submitted by Kelsey Jacobson, Digital Content Director / WMCTV.COM

Thursday, January 10th, 2013, 4:58pm

Free flu vaccines available across Shelby County

As the flu spreads across the country, Shelby County health officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated as we approach the peak of the flu season.

The Shelby County Health Department says even though the flu is hitting the country hard, it is not too late to get vaccinated. The add that the vaccine is safe, effective and recommended for anyone six months old or older.

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Shelby County Health Department distributing free flu vaccines

Submitted by John Phelps, Community Blogger

Thursday, December 6th, 2012, 3:46pm

Shelby County Health Department distributing free flu vaccines

(WMC-TV) – The 2012-2013 Flu season has already begun in Shelby County and throughout much of the mid-South, forcing some schools to close for the remainder of the week.

This week is also National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Shelby County Health Department will administer free flu vaccines this Saturday, Dec. 8.

That’s right, free! The health department has dubbed this event a sort of “grand finale” to National Influenza Vaccination Week.

The health department will administer the free vaccinations, while supplies last, on Saturday, December 8th, from noon until 4 p.m. at the front entrance of Southland Mall.

Families with children are especially encouraged to attend, and the event is open to all the public

Individuals who meet the following guidelines may be prone to influenza:

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Planned Parenthood Providing Free HIV Testing at Faith and AIDS Conference

Submitted by Joan Carr, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012, 10:53am

Planned Parenthood Providing Free HIV Testing at Faith and AIDS Conference

Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region will be providing free HIV testing and prevention counseling during Christ Missionary Baptist Church’s Faith and AIDS Conference on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

Planned Parenthood’s free confidential HIV testing and prevention counseling will be available to both conference attendees and the general public.

The Faith and AIDS Conference begins at 8:30 a.m. with a community breakfast in the church’s Fellowship Hall; workshops will follow, starting at 10:30 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m., the documentary The Gospel of Healing will be shown in the church’s main sanctuary.

The Gospel of Healing is a powerful film about how African American churches are addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Black community. Paul Grant, the film's producer and Rev. Tony Lee, the senior pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, featured in the film, will take part in a discussion following the screening.

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Wright Medical buys Nashville company

Submitted by Lyle Bontrager on Monday, November 19th, 12:05 pm

Wright Medical Group is in the process of purchasing one of Nashville's largest bio-tech firms, BioMimetic Therapeutics Inc., as part of a deal worth $380 million.

The Nashville Tennessean reports that BioMimetic is developing a new bone graft product which is now under final FDA review. If the deal goes through, BioMimetic will be able to tap into Wright's established sales network to eventually help sell its new Augment Bone Graft product. Wright Medical is a global medical device company, recording more than $500 million in revenue.

Both companies say they believe that Augment will eventually be approved and on the market.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013, pending regulatory approvals.

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What’s New in Medicare for 2013 event set for Whitehaven Community Center

Submitted by Steve Crain, WMCTV.com

Thursday, November 8th, 2012, 12:25pm

What’s New in Medicare for 2013 event set for Whitehaven Community Center

Media Alert provided by Windsor Health Plan

Medicare beneficiaries can learn about 2013 Medicare Advantage changes and the extra benefits offered in Windsor Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans at an education event on November 15 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whitehaven Community Center, 4318 Graceland Ave.

The event is free and open to the public as space allows. Current Windsor Health Plan members are welcome. Guests do not need to RSVP.

Windsor Health Plan offers a variety of Medicare Advantage plans as well as chronic and dually eligible special needs plans.

Now through December 7 is the only time many Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the 2013 calendar year.

If you have questions about the event, you can call Timena Toliver at 901-725-8832.

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Memphis among the top five for birthrates

Submitted by Lyle Bontrager on Tuesday, October 23rd, 8:10 am

Memphis has the fourth-highest birthrate among the 100 largest US markets, according to a recent study.

The top 16 markets are all in the south and west. Leading the list is Provo, Utah, with a rate of 87 births per 1,000 women. Memphis came in fourth with a rate 54 births per 1,000 women. By contrast, Knoxville, TN ranked third from the bottom of the list, with 39 births per 1,000 women.

The top five cities in birthrate, in order, were: