The Macon County Public Health Center has received an initial donation of free prescription cards, courtesy of American Consultants Rx.

As millions of Americans strive to deal with the economic downturn, loss of jobs, foreclosures, high cost of gas, and the rising cost of prescription drug cost, Charles Myrick, the President of American Consultants Rx, announced the re-release of the American Consultants Rx community service project. The project consists of millions of free discount prescription cards being donated to thousands of not-for-profits, hospitals, schools, churches, etc. in an effort to assist the uninsured, underinsured, and seniors in dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs.

Macon County Public Health has scheduled its first two flu shot clinics for this season.

The first clinic will take place on Friday, Aug. 31, at Southwestern Community College’s campus on Siler Road near the library. Shots will be given from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Signs will direct the public to the appropriate SCC entrance door.

The second clinic will be held at the Macon County Fair. The health department will be giving flu shots at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield exhibit bus on Friday, Sept. 14, from 3-7 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Weight loss expert offers slimming tips to last a lifetime

Losing weight has become a matter of life or death and counting calories, Weight Watcher points and fat grams hasn’t lessened the numbers of people affected. In 2010, more than 25 percent of Americans had pre-diabetes and another 1.9 million got a diabetes diagnosis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The single most effective way for people to avoid the disease? Losing weight.

Health director offers tips to avoid mosquito bites.

Macon County Health Director Jim Bruckner recently confirmed that two children from the local area have been diagnosed with La Crosse Viral Encephalitis (LAC) in Macon County. One of the children is from the Highlands area of the county and the other child is from the Franklin area. Both of the children were hospitalized, but have now been released and are recovering at home.

“These cases are an unfortunate reminder that we all need to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” said Bruckner. In addition to La Crosse, mosquitoes are carriers of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile virus, and other diseases.