Health

By Tim Harms—  The American Heart Association introduces eight Heart Heroes as part of the Kids Heart Challenge™ campaign  INDIANAPOLIS — More than 150,000 elementary students in Indiana will be encouraged to “Be the Torch” for better health by a new cast of characters that are part of the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge™ campaign. Eight heart heroes, characterized as dragons, each represent a positive trait that aligns with the school-based initiative aimed at improving students’ health while raising…

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN – Meridian Health Services is providing free COVID-19 prevention resources to help the community stay healthy with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases at a time when area schools are preparing for teachers and students to return to the classroom. Meridian is providing the following FREE resources at all primary care and urgent care locations: Free rapid COVID-19 testing Free at-home COVID-19 test kits – one box with two tests per family unit, while supplies…

By Lindsey Cox— Re-routing excess produce to those who could use it most MUNCIE, IN—Have you figured out what to do with the abundance of zucchini and tomatoes your garden is producing? Look no further. You can donate your excess garden produce to 16 sites in Delaware, Blackford, and Jay Counties. Those community organizations will make sure the produce gets to our neighbors who can use it most. The Food Council of East Central Indiana, through the Healthy Community Alliance…

By IU Health— IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital recognized as ‘high performing’ for kidney failure, COPD, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. News & World Report has released its 2022-2023 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings that include Indiana University Health Medical Center among the nation’s top adult hospitals for the 25th consecutive year. IU Health Medical Center remains the No. 1-ranked hospital in Indiana and Indianapolis and the only nationally ranked adult hospital in the state. U.S. News…

By Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN – Community members have the opportunity to receive no-cost COVID-19 test kits, as well as no-cost Covid vaccination this week at Open Door Health Services. Free at-home test kits will be distributed Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Open Door’s administrative site, located at 220 S. Walnut St. in Muncie. The public is invited to pick up a supply for homes, workplaces, or civic organizations. Free Covid vaccinations, including boosters,…

By Marcia Freeman— MUNCIE, IN—Chronic joint pain has plagued me for many years starting in my late thirty’s. I struggled to find relief outside of pharmaceuticals, until I found the practice of yoga. To say that it has been life changing is an understatement. It has become my main health practice for physical and emotional wellness. I was diagnosed with a very painful, chronic and debilitating joint disease in 2009. I was immediately advised by my doctors to stop running,…

By IU Health— MUNCIE, IN – IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that…

By Suzanne Clem, VP of Community Engagement— MUNCIE, Ind. —Open Door Health Services’ no-cost COVID-19 testing site will offer its final day of testing Thursday, June 30. Located at 1651 E. 29th St. in Muncie, directly behind Open Door Urgent Care, this site has operated since 2021 as a state-contracted community testing site. That contract concludes at the end of the month. Community members seeking testing can continue to view no-cost community testing at https://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov/Home/LocationSelection. Although the majority of Open Door’s…