DEERFIELD, Ill., April 28, 2016 - With flu activity winding down in the U.S., Walgreens today announced the top markets (DMAs) and states for flu activity for the season, according to its season-ending Walgreens Flu Index™ examining aggregate prescription data from November 2015 through mid-April 2016.
The states with the highest rates of influenza, according to the Index, were Arizona, Texas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
The Walgreens Flu Index provides state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and is compiled using retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. With the ability to generate hyper-local data, the Index continues to be instrumental in driving consumer awareness and prevention across the United States, while also serving as a valuable tool for health departments, media and others at the local level.
Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity
Aggregate data from November 2015 through mid-April 2016
1. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
2. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
3. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
4. Phoenix (Prescott), Ariz.
5. Memphis, Tenn.
6. Louisville, Ky.
7. Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston, Miss.
8. Houston, Texas
9. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
10. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Aggregate data from November 2015 through mid-April 2016
1. Arizona
2. Texas
3. Kentucky
4. Mississippi
5. Tennessee
6. New Mexico
7. Hawaii
8. South Carolina
9. Nevada
10. Louisiana
“Bottom 10” Shows Markets with Least Amount of Influenza Activity
In addition to the top markets for activity, the season-ending Index also shows the bottom 10, suggesting successful prevention efforts in preparation for, and during flu season in these communities, which experienced the lowest levels of influenza.
Markets with Least Flu Activity
Aggregate data from November 2015 through mid-April 2016
1. Eugene, Ore.
2. Pittsburgh, Penn.
3. Toledo, Ohio
4. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.
5. Portland, Ore.
6. Rochester, N.Y.
7. Augusta, Ga.- Aiken, S.C.
8. Boston, Mass. (Manchester, N.H.)
9. Cleveland-Akron (Canton), Ohio
10. Bakersfield, Calif.
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 10 retail locations.
For more on the Walgreens Flu Index, visit http://arcg.is/1HA3vGp.
© Copyright Walgreen Co. 2016. All rights reserved
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in 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 8,173 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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Walgreens
Emily Hartwig
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http://news.walgreens.com
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