Walking groups are a great way to meet new people, stay motivated and improve your overall health, but what are the steps to starting one in your neighborhood? Knox County Health Department is ready to help you get moving with more fun, incentives and prizes!

The walking program is a way for neighborhoods to join together to make physical activity a priority in
their community. The synopsis of the program is that people in the neighborhood join together to make
a group (no more than 15 people) and choose a group leader. The leader is responsible for their group
members’ paperwork and group record keeping. The group leader will attend the group leader luncheon
on February, 14 at noon. At the meeting they will receive the required paperwork for each group
member. The group leaders have about 2 weeks to get the paperwork turned in to the health dept. and
receive the goody bags. The goody bags will include a pedometer, walking log, and other goodies. The
program will officially begin on Monday, March 5, and end on Sunday, April 29. The program is for 8
weeks. Participants are required to wear the pedometer everyday from March 5 to April 29. At the end
of each day the participants will record the number of steps taken that day and the number of minutes
they exercised that day. At the end of each week they will provide the total number of steps and
minutes exercised for that week to their group leader. Group leaders will keep track of each member’s
weekly steps and minutes exercised and record the groups’ totals in the group leader log. 

• Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 12:00:  Group Leader Interest Meeting in the KCHD Auditorium
• Wednesday, February 15 – Friday, March 2, 2012:  Registration for program  
• Friday, March 2, 2012 by 3:00 p.m.:  All participant paperwork must be turned in
• Monday, March 5, 2012:  Program Begins 
• Week of April 2, 2012: Leaders will be contacted by phone or email for an updated participation
roster
• Sunday, April 29, 2012:  Program Ends  
• Tuesday, May 8, 2012 by 3:00 p.m.:  All paperwork (group and individual) must be turned in!  
• Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.:  Finale picnic at New Harvest Park

Being diagnosed with diabetes is a life-changing event. Managing the disease can be time consuming and
overwhelming. That’s why Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is now offering an interactive diabetes
management tool involving a method called Diabetes Conversation Maps to help patients cope and learn from
each other. Designed for small groups of 8-15 participants, KCHD’s trained staff of dietitians can facilitate the
program at businesses, churches or other organizations at no charge. For more information on bringing the
Diabetes Conversation Maps to your group, call 215-5170.

Recommended by the American Diabetes Association, the program has been very effective across the country
by helping patients understand and assume responsibility for managing their diabetes – not just telling them
what to do. The program operates similarly to a board game with a map of diabetes issues. By progressing as
a group across the map, participants ask and answer questions, and learn from one another as well as the
educator. KCHD’s Diabetes Conversation Maps benefit patients by providing visual models that can be
remembered more effectively; allowing them to discover answers for themselves; helping patients internalize
and personalize health information in a fun and engaging way. Better diabetes self-management is the goal.
Each session lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours. Participants are encouraged to schedule/attend multiple sessions
because different aspects of the disease will be discussed. 

“Patients always say how delighted they are with the practical tips they learn from other people in the Map
session,” said Susan Fowlkes, KCHD clinical nutrition director. “Simple suggestions are shared that make 
diabetes management easier in day-to-day living.”

In Tennessee, the percentage of adults with diabetes almost doubled between 1996 and 2005, from 5 to 9.1
percent and the state had the sixth highest percentage of diabetic adults compared to all other states. In Knox
County, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of premature death in 2005. In 2008, almost 10 percent
of Knox County adults reported they have been diagnosed with diabetes. This estimate does not include
pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes. The estimate for 2002 was 7.1 percent and in 2005, it was 8.2 percent
(Knox County Behavior Risk Factor Survey, 2002, 2005, 2008). According to the national Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, there are 17.9 million people nationally diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 5.7
million people who have the disease but are undiagnosed.  If current trends continue, one out of three U.S.
adults will have diabetes by 2050.

Knox County Health Department’s initiatives through the Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Diabetes
(CARD) Program directly address reducing diabetes rates and include programs such as the tri-yearly diabetes
management class series; community-wide walking programs; the Nutrition Education Activity Training (NEAT)
after school program; mini-grants for local businesses and child care facilities to improve diet and physical
activity; a walking school bus pilot project and an Eat Play Live Conference planned for March 2012. The
CARD Program is funded through an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Health.

To assist local businesses and child care facilities provide proactive environments for better health,
nutrition and physical activity for their employees and children in their care, Knox County Health
Department has awarded 41 community mini-grants.

The grants are part of KCHD’s Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Diabetes (CARD) grant from the Tennessee Department of Health and encompass several programs aimed at stemming the diabetes epidemic in Knox County. Eleven
businesses accepted $1,500 grants to help defray start-up costs and equipment for developing and
implementing worksite wellness programs for their employees. Thirty child care facilities were
awarded $600 grants to help improve nutrition and physical activity for their charges. 

“With our challenging economic times, these mini-grants provide local businesses and child care
centers the much-needed resources to implement creative programs to encourage healthy eating and
more physical activity,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, Knox County Health Department director. “These
programs have the potential to impact thousands of Knox County residents by reducing risk factors
that contribute to developing diabetes and other serious illnesses during a person’s lifetime.”

Below is a listing of grant recipients and brief descriptions of the planned projects. 

Mini-Grant recipients* Project Description

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee Valley Zumba classes at all club sites, physical activity equipment
City of Knoxville Fitness equipment and quarterly nutrition classes
CUPA-HR Fitness DVDs and pedometers
Habitat for Humanity Fitness center with equipment
Kids at Play, Inc. Pedometer/weight loss challenge, fitness videos, Fun Time Gym
Bus Classes, veggie garden installation
Knoxville Christian School Vegetable garden installation; buy and plant trees
Knoxville Convention Center Fitness equipment and lunch-and-learn classes
Rock Tenn Healthy vending and healthy snacks policy
TeamHealth Nutrition education about USDA's MyPlate
UT Medical Center Healthy worksite challenge: nutrition and fitness
YWCA Fitness equipment, fitness challenge and wellness committee
Tate's Totz and Teens (two locations) Physical activity equipment

West End Academy Physical activity equipment
SHADES of Development (eight locations) Cooking activities; equipment for a circuit training and cardio
program, nutrition materials; yoga classes; provide healthy
snacks; implement aerobics classes and other physical activities;
family fit nights
My Sister’s House Child Development Center Will rebuild their playground as a “natural playscape” inspired by
local environment. A natural playscape includes: natural hills to
climb, logs to jump from, and natural beams to balance on; tree
house, sand/dirt/grave areas for digging and building in; outdoor
shelving area; garden area for veggies. Children will compost
paper towels, etc.  
Church Street United Methodist Church Cooking class for parents, to promote well-balanced, healthy and
affordable meals
Starting Point School Physical activity equipment
Knoxville Montessori School Vegetable garden and strawberry patch installation
Cedar Bluff Playschool Physical activity equipment
Tennova Child Development Center Nutrition education for children, physical activity equipment
Christus Victor ECD Physical activity equipment; fruit and vegetable samples
My Village Child Development Center Physical activity equipment; cooking classes
Arnstein Jewish Community Center
Preschool Four Family Fun Sundays for family education through active play days
Farragut Church of Christ Provide healthy snacks for children
Trinity Child Development Center Create an outdoor classroom- organic vegetable garden and
composting site; build bird houses
Fifth Avenue Child Care Physical activity equipment
Riverside Child Care Vegetable garden installation
Knoxville Center for Early Education Vegetable garden installation
Central Baptist Church- Bearden Physical activity equipment
West Emory Child Enrichment Center Vegetable garden installation
Abundant Love Childcare Vegetable garden installation
*List does not total 41 because some received multiple grants or grants for different locations within
the same business.

According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 17.9 million people
nationally diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 5.7 million people who have the disease but are
undiagnosed.  If current trends continue, one out of three U.S. adults will have diabetes by 2050. In
Tennessee, the percentage of adults with diabetes almost doubled between 1996 and 2005, from 5 to
9.1 percent and Tennessee had the sixth highest percentage of diabetic adults compared to all other
states. In Knox County, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of premature death in 2005. In 2008,
9.5 percent of Knox County adults reported they have been diagnosed with diabetes. This estimate
does not include pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes. The estimate for 2002 was 7.1 percent and in
2005, it was 8.2 percent (Knox County Behavior Risk Factor Survey, 2002, 2005, 2008). 

Knox County Health Department’s initiatives through the CARD Program directly address reducing
diabetes rates and include programs such as the tri-yearly diabetes management class series;
community-wide walking programs; the Nutrition Education Activity Training (NEAT) after school
program; the mini-grants; a walking school bus pilot project and an Eat Play Live Conference planned
for March 2012.

These Wednesday mornings will be used for KCHD employee training and development.

No other changes in service are planned.

First Wednesdays for 2012

Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will be spraying three areas Thursday night, weather
permitting.

The most recent lab reports confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in
mosquitoes in South Knox County and again in the Carter community. The Milligan Street area of East
Knox County near the zoo will receive a follow up treatment in accordance with Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention protocol.

The affected areas will be sprayed to reduce the mosquito population
and the risk of further WNV spread. Spraying is scheduled for this Thursday, Sept. 22 from 9 p.m. to
midnight. Signs will be erected in the affected area to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside
during spraying and to keep pets inside or in the back yard. 

Weather could impact the spraying schedule. Spraying is not recommended in rain, when wind blows
more than 10 miles per hour or if the temperature drops below 55 degrees. Health officials will be
watching the weather closely for Thursday’s scheduled spray. Follow up sprayings will be scheduled as
weather permits.

“Usually about this time of year the weather starts to help us out,” said Ronnie Nease, KCHD
environmental health director. “This is later than normal to be spraying. If the weather stays cool, it will
really reduce mosquito activity.” 

The spray areas will include:

East Knox County around Milligan Street
All areas east of North Cherry Street; north of Magnolia Avenue; west of North Beaman Street and
South of I-40. Also included are Lakeside and Kirkwood Streets and American Avenue. 

South Knox County
These streets: Echodale Lane, Wise Hill Road, Stone Road, Stoneoak Lane and Magazine Road from
Stone Road to Martin Mill Pike; Royal Heights Drive, Judith Drive, Grandin Drive, Larry Drive,
Beachwood Drive, Liveoak Drive, West Red Bud Road, Sarvis Drive South West and Maple Loop Road
from Sarvis Drive to West Red Bud Road.

Carter Community
All of Carter Mill Subdivision; Knox County’s Carter Park; Strawberry Plains Pike from Asheville
Highway to Carter School Road; Carter School Road from Strawberry Plains Pike to Asheville Highway; 
Asheville Highway from Carter School Road to Strawberry Plains Pike

Knox County Health Department (KCHD) has received another lab report confirming the presence of
West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in the Milligan Street area of East Knox County near the zoo.
Following national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, the affected area will be
sprayed to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of further WNV spread. Spraying is scheduled
for Thursday, Sept. 8 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Signs will be erected in the affected area to alert
residents, who are asked to stay inside during spraying. 

Weather could impact the spraying schedule. Spraying is not recommended in rain or below 55
degrees, so health officials will be watching the weather closely for Thursday’s scheduled spray. This
week’s cooler temperatures will help lower mosquito activity.  

The spray area will include all areas east of North Cherry Street, north of Magnolia Avenue, west of
North Beaman Street and South of I-40. Also included are Lakeside and Kirkwood Streets and
American Avenue. Follow-up spraying will be on Thursday, Sept. 22 if
weather allows. 

Following national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, Knox County Health
Department will conduct follow up spraying in the Carter Community where West Nile Virus
(WNV) was found in mosquitoes. Spraying is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 from 9 p.m. to
midnight to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of further WNV spread. Signs will be
erected in the affected areas to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside and bring pets
inside during spraying.

Mosquito spray trucks will be on these roads Thursday night:

Carter Community
• All of Carter Mill Subdivision
• Knox County’s Carter Park
• Strawberry Plains Pike from Asheville Highway to Carter School Road
• Carter School Road from Strawberry Plains Pike to Asheville Highway 
• Asheville Highway from Carter School Road to Strawberry Plains Pike

To address the public health concerns caused by mosquitoes, KCHD conducts a mosquito
control program during the summer months. As the weather begins to warm each spring,
public health professionals begin trapping mosquitoes around the county, testing batches
weekly for West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne disease which can infect humans, horses and
birds. WNV affected areas are sprayed according to Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention protocols with an approved mist when needed to reduce the mosquito population.
Application is recommended between the hours of 9 p.m. to midnight when mosquitoes are
most active. From March until the first frost, larvicides also are used in areas with standing
water to prevent mosquito proliferation. 

TIPS FOR CONTROLLING MOSQUITOES
Eliminating breeding areas is an important factor in controlling the mosquito population. KCHD
urges the public to reduce breeding sites around their homes by following these tips:

• Dispose of, regularly empty, or turn over any water holding containers on your property
such as tires, cans, flowerpots, or trashcans.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and water doesn’t stand in them.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.

• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Keep swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs clean and properly chlorinated;
• Remove standing water from pool covers.

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS
It also is important for residents to take necessary precautions against West Nile Virus during
outside activity, either by proper clothing or insect repellant. The best way to protect yourself
and your family is to keep mosquitoes from biting you. During mosquito season (generally April
through October), take the following precautions:

• Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, if possible, since this is the time of
greatest mosquito activity.
• If you are outside when mosquitoes are prevalent, wear protective clothing such as long
pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks.
• Wear light-colored clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
• Use a mosquito repellant that contains DEET (the chemical N-N-diethyl-meta-
toluamide); and 
• Follow the directions on the label. If you are concerned about using repellent products
on children you may wish to consult a health care provider for advice or contact the
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) through their toll-free number at 1-800-
858-7378 or npic.orst.edu. 

More information on the mosquito control program are available by calling 215-5200 or
online at http://knoxcounty.org/health/vector_mosquito_control.php. KCHD also provides
the West Nile Virus Fact Sheet and the Public Health Fact Sheet discussing insect bites and
repellents. All informational materials may be reproduced and distributed as needed. A
Mosquito Control technician is available to discuss mosquito control at community groups or
neighborhood association meetings. 
KCHD is committed to promoting public health policies and practices that safeguard and
improve quality of life for all residents. KCHD offers an array of resources, including medical
and dental services, family planning, disease surveillance and control, emergency
preparedness, air quality management, environmental services, food preparation oversight in
public places, special nutritional programs for women with children and much more. For more
information, visit www.knoxcounty.org/health.

Knox County Health Department (KCHD) has received a lab report confirming the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in the Cedar Bluff and John Sevier Highway areas of Knox County.

Following national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, the affected areas will be sprayed to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of further WNV spread. Spraying is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Follow up spraying will be on Sunday, June 5. Signs will be erected in the affected areas to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside during spraying.

Mosquito spray trucks will be on these roads Sunday night (maps are attached for reference):

Gulf Park Community, Cedar Bluff