Healthy Kids

Nursing Talent: The dream of college becomes a reality for a young woman who plans a health care career

JoVan McClain always loved children. “When my friends’ moms would have babies, I would always go to their houses and help out,” McClain, 19, remembers. “I just fell in love with children. I always wanted to be a nurse, and then in high school I did a project where I had to make an incubator — one like neonatal nurse practitioners use — and it was so interesting. “I knew that I wanted to work in the NICU.” Now in her freshman year at Belmont University, McClain is so clearly in her element it’s hard to imagine this future wasn’t always within her reach. “When I was really young, we used to drive by Belmont every day,” she recalls. “It […]
Shaking Up Gym Period: Teens don’t dread PE class thanks to programs like SPARK

Teens don’t dread PE class thanks to programs like SPARK
What Happens When Playtime Disappears: Why giving kids the space to play leads to healthy development

Why giving kids the space to play leads to healthy development
Short Breaks Recharge Students’ Brains

Memphis teacher finds movement leads to better thinking

Short Breaks Recharge Students’ Brains: Memphis teacher finds movement leads to better thinking

Memphis teacher finds movement leads to better thinking
Nursing in a Crisis

Much to her dismay, Sheri Smith is an expert on weaning infants off drugs

Nursing in a Crisis: Much to her dismay, Sheri Smith is an expert on weaning infants off drugs

Much to her dismay, Sheri Smith is an expert on weaning infants off drugs
Stand Up for Something

Q&A with Maya Thirkill about Tennessee’s alarming infant mortality rate, leading teen girls and how she’s taking control of her future.

Stand Up for Something: Maya Thirkill talks about Tennessee’s alarming infant mortality rate, leading teen girls and how she's taking control of her future

Q&A with Maya Thirkill about Tennessee’s alarming infant mortality rate, leading teen girls and how she’s taking control of her future.
Memphis Kids Are Earning Their Wheels

The Bike Recycle Program matches eager kids with machines that need a rider.

Memphis Kids Are Earning Their Wheels: Bike Recycle Program gets kids moving by matching them with bicycles of their own

The Bike Recycle Program matches eager kids with machines that need a rider.
Apply for a Shape the State PE Grant

Winning schools receive PE grants worth $10,000 each, including new equipment, curriculum, $1,000 wellness stipend

Apply for a Shape the State PE Grant: Winning schools receive PE grants worth $10,000 each, including new equipment, curriculum, $1,000 wellness stipend

Winning schools receive PE grants worth $10,000 each, including new equipment, curriculum, $1,000 wellness stipend
KaBOOM! Playgrounds in Tennessee

BlueCross Health Foundation has provided more than $1.8 million to build KaBOOM! playgrounds throughout Tennessee.

KaBOOM! Playgrounds in Tennessee: BlueCross Health Foundation helps build playgrounds in Tennessee

BlueCross Health Foundation has provided more than $1.8 million to build KaBOOM! playgrounds throughout Tennessee.
Infographic: Childhood Obesity in Tennessee

1 in 3 Tennessee kids is overweight. 1 in 5 is obese.

Infographic: Childhood Obesity in Tennessee: 1 in 3 Tennessee kids is overweight. 1 in 5 is obese.

1 in 3 Tennessee kids is overweight. 1 in 5 is obese.
Try It, You’ll Like It

Whipping up a meal is a new skill for Jahniya Owens, picked up through classes with a culinary program that teaches nutrition to middle school students.

Try It, You’ll Like It: Kids learn their way around a kitchen with Pink and Dude Chefs

Whipping up a meal is a new skill for Jahniya Owens, picked up through classes with a culinary program that teaches nutrition to middle school students.
Regional Roadmap: Hancock County

Funds expand after-school art program’s offerings

Regional Roadmap: Hancock County: Funds expand after-school art program's offerings

Funds expand after-school art program’s offerings