DEERFIELD, Ill., February 24, 2015 - The Walgreens Flu Index™ is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. With the ability to generate hyper-local data that’s as specific as a single zip code, the Index aims to drive consumer awareness and prevention within communities, while also serving as a valuable resource for health departments, media and others at the local level.
Top Ten DMAs with Flu Activity |
Week beginning 2/23/2015 |
| 1. Oklahoma City, Okla. |
| 2. Jackson, Miss. |
| 3. Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark. |
| 4. Little Rock – Pine Bluff, Ark. |
| 5. El Paso, Texas, (Las Cruces, NM) |
| 6. Tulsa, Okla. |
| 7. Knoxville, Tenn. |
| 8. Huntsville – Decatur (Florence), Ala. |
| 9. San Antonio, Texas |
| 10. Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala. |
Top Ten States with Flu Activity |
Week beginning 2/23/2015 |
| 1. Oklahoma |
| 2. Arkansas |
| 3. Mississippi |
| 4. Alabama |
| 5. Louisiana |
| 6. Texas |
| 7. Tennessee |
| 8. South Carolina |
| 9. Kansas |
| 10. Nebraska |
Top Ten DMAs Flu Activity Gains |
From week beginning 2/16/2015 to 2/23/2015 |
| 1. Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala |
| 2. Chattanooga, Tenn. |
| 3. Atlanta, Ga. |
| 4. Paducah, KY – Cape Girardeau, MO- Harrisburg, Ill. |
| 5. Green Bay – Appleton, Wis. |
| 6. Colorado Springs – Pueblo, Colo. |
| 7. Champaign, Springfield – Decatur, Ill. |
| 8. Denver, Colo. |
| 9. Greenville – Spartanburg – Anderson, SC; Asheville, N.C. |
| 10. Dayton, Ohio |
Top Ten State Flu Activity Gains |
From week beginning 2/16/2015 to 2/23/2015 |
| 1. Alabama |
| 2. Georgia |
| 3. Colorado |
| 4. Illinois |
| 5. Mississippi |
| 6. Ohio |
| 7. Indiana |
| 8. Michigan |
| 9. Pennsylvania |
| 10. Minnesota |
Methodology
The Walgreens Flu Index™ is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The data is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis, and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 20 retail locations.
The Flu Index™ is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, illustrate which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of flu.
© Copyright Walgreen Co. 2015. All rights reserved
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), the nation's largest drugstore chain, constitutes the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,229 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens digital business includes Walgreens.com, drugstore.com, Beauty.com, SkinStore.com and VisionDirect.com. Walgreens also manages more than 400 Healthcare Clinic and provider practice locations around the country.
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