A Healthy Nashville II: Underlying Health Conditions

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Media - March 27, 2020

A Healthy Nashville II: Underlying Health Conditions

Message from Senator Bill Frist, M.D.: Underlying Health Conditions

In this Issue:
– COVID-19 + Nashville’s Underlying Health Conditions
– Response Fund Update
– Tracking COVID-19 in Tennessee
– Sen. Frist Addresses COVID-19

COVID-19 + Nashville’s Underlying Health Conditions

While much is still unknown about the COVID-19 virus, the CDC warns that people who have underlying medical conditions are likely at higher risk for more serious complications from the virus. It is believed the virus is particularly dangerous for people with heart or lung disease, or the severely obese. Because it attacks the lungs, people who smoke tobacco products, e-cigarettes or marijuana may also be at increased risk of becoming very sick if they contract the virus.

Findings from the Nashville Community Health + Well-being Survey can help us better understand the demographics and locations of vulnerable populations in our community. According to the survey:

nearly one-third of Nashvillians have been diagnosed with hypertension;
nearly 19 percent have respiratory conditions such as COPD, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis; and
nearly one-third report a Body Mass Index classified as obese.

By understanding the health of our city, we can better respond in this crisis. To access the data for further analysis, click here.

COVID-19 Response Fund Update

Side by side with Mayor John Cooper, the Response Fund Committee has been hard at work raising funds and getting dollars into the community. Friday, the Tennessee Titans announced they are are giving $50,000, growing the total amount raised to $2.4 million.

Funds have been distributed to current community partners including, Need Link Nashville, Salvation Army, Conexión Americas, Roof Top, Catholic Charities, and the Martha O’Bryan Center. These organizations are quickly getting help to our neighbors who need it most.

Tracking COVID in Tennessee

Each day, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) releases figures tracking the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in each county and statewide. In an effort to raise awareness about these figures and understand how infection rates are changing, NashvilleHealth shares tracking updates and insights based on TDH data.

Data acquired from the TDH Website, as of March 27 analyzed by Sajid Khan, Change Healthcare and NashvilleHealth Board.

*Total TN & Other County Cases Include Out Of State Cases Diagnosed in TN