DEERFIELD, Ill., February 03, 2015 – The Walgreens Flu Index™ is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. With the ability to generate hyper-local data that’s as specific as a single zip code, the Index aims to drive consumer awareness and prevention within communities, while also serving as a valuable resource for health departments, media and others at the local level.
Top Ten DMAs with Flu Activity
Week beginning 2/2/2015
1. Oklahoma City, Okla.
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, NM)
3. Tulsa, Okla.
4. San Antonio, Texas
5. Little Rock – Pine Bluff, Ark.
6. Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.
7. Austin, Texas
8. Jackson, Miss.
9. Harlingen–Weslaco–Brownsville–McAllen, Texas
10. Knoxville, Tenn.
Top Ten States with Flu Activity
Week beginning 2/2015
1. Oklahoma
2. Arkansas
3. Texas
4. Nebraska
5. Mississippi
6. Kansas
7. Louisiana
8. New Jersey
9. Tennessee
10. New Mexico
Top Ten DMAs Flu Activity Gains
From week beginning 1/26/2015 to 2/2/2015
1. Ft. Smith–Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, Ark,
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, NM)
3. Jackson, Miss.
4. Oklahoma City, Okla.
5. Huntsville–Decatur (Florence), Ala.
6. Tulsa, Okla.
7. Little Rock–Pine Bluff, Ark.
8. Providence, R.I. – New Bedford, Mass.
9. Wichita-Hutchinson, Kan.
10. Boston, Mass. (Manchester, NH)
Top Ten State Flu Activity Gains
From week beginning 1/26/2015 to 2/2/2015
1. Oklahoma
2. Arkansas
3. New Hampshire
4. Rhode Island
5. Kansas
6. Louisiana
7. New Jersey
8. Connecticut
9. Massachusetts
10. Delaware
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 20 retail locations.
The Flu Index™ is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, illustrate which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of flu.