Health

By IU Health Ball Memorial and Delaware County Health Dept. Staff— MUNCIE, IN—With measles cases being reported in Indiana, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and the Delaware County Health Department are encouraging residents to rely on trusted health information and take steps to protect themselves and others. While there is not currently a measles outbreak in Delaware County, the hospital has established processes to quickly identify and respond to potential exposures. Last month, two patients with measles were evaluated in the Emergency Department, prompting immediate contact tracing and coordination with the Indiana Department of Health to identify and follow up…

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN—Meridian Health Services invites the community to Flu-Lapalooza, a FREE one-day flu shot clinic, on Thursday, October 8 from 1 to 5 p.m., or until supplies last, at Meridian Health Services locations throughout the state of Indiana. Each location will be giving away a chance to WIN a $50 grocery gift card (eligible to participants only). Flu-Lapalooza ensures convenient access to health care by providing free flu shots to those six months and older. No insurance is necessary and no out-of-pocket fees apply. You need not be a current Meridian patient to obtain a flu shot…

By Nathan Taylor— MUNCIE, IN—— Ten years ago, Delaware County celebrated an important milestone: Muncie and Delaware County were recognized as an Indiana Healthy Community (IHC) by the Wellness Council of Indiana. That recognition in 2016 represented the culmination of years of collaboration among local businesses, government, community organizations, and residents committed to creating a healthier place to live, work, and raise a family. Read the original story here. Today, Delaware County is celebrating that achievement once again. On September 2nd, Delaware County was recognized again as an Indiana Healthy Community at the Wellness Council of Indiana’s annual awards luncheon,…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University has received funding through the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand access to health services in East Central Indiana. The $358,170 award, covering Sept. 1, 2026-July 31, 2027, will support work led by Ball State’s College of Health as part of the state’s Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being (GROW) Regional Grants initiative. Ball State’s work will include efforts to address regional healthcare workforce shortages through strategic workforce pathways and to strengthen community access to services addressing chronic disease. The College of Health will also hire a regional…

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but our collective commitment should go far beyond a single month of the year. Our community’s resilience, grit and courage to speak up are central values I see championed throughout our communityu every day of the year. This year, I believe we need to pay particular attention to our young people. Indiana is facing a youth mental health crisis. Too many children and teenagers are struggling with depression, anxiety, isolation and thoughts of suicide. The latest data from the Indiana Department of Health paint a troubling picture: nearly half of…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s College of Health is expanding access to healthcare in East Central Indiana with the launch of a new family medicine primary care practice serving community members. The new primary care family medicine service will operate within the Healthy Lifestyle Center at the University’s Interprofessional Community Clinics, 1613 W. Riverside Ave. in Muncie. Free parking is available for patients in the clinic parking lot at the Health Professions Building. Three newly hired family nurse practitioners are beginning to open their patient panels as the practice prepares for a soft launch in early September….

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association for their commitment to improving care for patients with heart disease and stroke through Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement programs. The programs help ensure patients receive care aligned with the most up‑to‑date, research‑based treatment guidelines. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the 2026 American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics report. These conditions require swift, proven treatment to achieve the best outcomes. Through Get With…

By Isis Chaverri, Regional Communications Director, American Red Cross Indiana Region— INDIANA — The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood. A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than…

By Janie Bohlmann, ARC Regional Communications Manager— INDIANA — Experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures will impact the Indiana Region beginning this weekend and continuing through next week. The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross urges everyone to take three critical actions to stay safe: Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center. Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if…