Women’s Health

1. 

   The Path to Parenthood: Two women talk about how Baby University helped them realize their full potential

   For Torey Covington, motherhood was a journey that she expected to face alone. “I was 19 and pregnant and didn’t have any support from my child’s father,” Covington says. “I couldn’t even finish school.” “I was young and lost, and I didn’t know where I was heading.” “But as soon as I met my case worker from Baby University, MaryBeth Steffey,  I knew I was in good hands.” Since 2015, Baby University has been partnering with expectant parents and those with young children to create sustainable futures so children can thrive. The Chattanooga-based program focuses on childhood development from prenatal stages to preschool. And it provides mothers and fathers with the tools to enhance a child’s stability while achieving their […]
2. 

   Fewer NAS babies born in East Tennessee: Last year, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome in Tennessee dropped in some areas

   While the opioid crisis continues to wreak devastation throughout the state, one of the hardest hit areas is seeing a glimmer of good news. Recent reporting shows that cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Tennessee have started to decline in 2018. NAS cases are down 26% in 2018 compared to the same time period last year. Rates of NAS in East Tennessee have decreased each of the last several years. NAS occurs when a pregnant woman abuses drugs and her unborn child develops a dependency on them in the womb. Awareness of the dangers of drug use during pregnancy has had an impact on women of childbearing age. But the decrease in the number of NAS babies in Knox County has […]
3. 

   Moms, Babies and Drugs: OB/GYN Craig Towers talks about his research to prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

   The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in Tennessee, where pregnant young women pass along drug dependencies to their babies. Dr. Craig Towers, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, has been instrumental in changing how they are treated.
4. 

   Changing Course

   In 2016 the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy launched CGLA GetFit, a health and wellness program for students, faculty and family. How it’s working and how students are responding.

   Changing Course: Q&A with Kala Nunley, Wellness Coach for Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy GetFit program

   In 2016 the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy launched CGLA GetFit, a health and wellness program for students, faculty and family. How it’s working and how students are responding.
5. 

   Health Brief: Cancer

   Tennessee has the 7th highest cancer death rate in the U.S. Read how that breaks down and how we change it.

   Health Brief: Cancer: Tennessee has the 7th highest cancer death rate in the U.S.

   Tennessee has the 7th highest cancer death rate in the U.S. Read how that breaks down and how we change it.
6. 

   From Ping Pong to Pickleball

   As a child, Karen Ribble loved playing ping pong. At age 55, she found a bigger way to put those skills to work.

   From Ping Pong to Pickleball: A Senior Olympian’s competitive spirit leads her to master and medal in a new sport

   As a child, Karen Ribble loved playing ping pong. At age 55, she found a bigger way to put those skills to work.
7. 

   Starting a New Life

   90% of pregnancies in women with opioid use disorders are unintended. Experts from Tennessee’s Dayspring Family Health talk about addressing opioid use during pregnancy, the prevalence of the problem and glimmers of hope.

   Starting a New Life: At Dayspring Family Health Center in Jellico, mothers have a chance to leave opioid use behind them

   90% of pregnancies in women with opioid use disorders are unintended. Experts from Tennessee’s Dayspring Family Health talk about addressing opioid use during pregnancy, the prevalence of the problem and glimmers of hope.
8. 

   Health Brief: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

   More than 1,000 Tennessee infants are born dependent on drugs each year. Why it’s happening and how we change it.

   Health Brief: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): More than 1,000 infants in Tennessee are born dependent on drugs each year. Why it's happening and how we change it.

   More than 1,000 Tennessee infants are born dependent on drugs each year. Why it’s happening and how we change it.
9. 

   Taking the First Step

   Lying on a cold concrete floor inside the Knox County Jail, Meghan Denney thought of her unborn child and started to cry. Her body trembled, her stomach churned, her head ached — the painful symptoms of drug withdrawal.

   Taking the First Step: After years of drug addiction, a new mother finds peace at the Susannah’s House recovery program

   Lying on a cold concrete floor inside the Knox County Jail, Meghan Denney thought of her unborn child and started to cry. Her body trembled, her stomach churned, her head ached — the painful symptoms of drug withdrawal.
10. 

    Lightening the Mother Load

    A mother talking to her teenage daughter about physical and emotional health can be tough. How Health Chat uses Facebook to break down those walls.

    Lightening the Mother Load: Health Chat breaks down communication walls between mothers and teen daughters using Facebook

    A mother talking to her teenage daughter about physical and emotional health can be tough. How Health Chat uses Facebook to break down those walls.