SUMMARY: Lyme disease, often called the silent epidemic, gained attention after Tennessee native Justin Timberlake revealed his “debilitating” diagnosis following his two-year tour. Dr. Donald Dumford from Cleveland Clinic explained that Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks attached for 2-3 days and initially causes fever, mild joint pain, muscle aches, and a target-shaped skin lesion. Early treatment with antibiotics usually leads to recovery, but untreated cases can become chronic with symptoms like nerve pain and fatigue, as Timberlake experienced. Tennessee saw 39 cases in 2023, up 18% from 2022, while national cases rose 43% to 89,470. Most tick bites do not cause Lyme disease.

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SUMMARY: In Unicoi County, Tennessee, volunteers and Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff continue restoring the Appalachian Trail nearly a year after Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage. The storm uprooted large trees and left deep holes, making trail repair labor-intensive and reliant on hand tools due to rugged terrain. More than 430 miles of trail were initially closed, now reduced to five miles with detours around two damaged sections. Restoration aims to improve trail resilience with sustainable features like water bars. Volunteer efforts remain vital, supported by federal agencies, though recent interest has waned. International volunteers, inspired by past disasters, also contribute to the effort.

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SUMMARY: Hopewell Family Care Integrative Medicine in Hermitage embraces parent choice, including vaccine decisions, welcoming all patients regardless of vaccination status. Co-owner Jamie Aoyo, a family nurse practitioner, emphasizes personalized, holistic care combining root cause medicine with conventional treatments. The practice educates families using official CDC and manufacturer vaccine information, respecting diverse vaccine schedules influenced by genetics or family history. Although vaccine skepticism has increased post-pandemic, Tennessee’s full vaccination rates have only slightly declined. Hopewell focuses on building trust through education rather than coercion and provides treatment protocols for vaccine-preventable illnesses like whooping cough, emphasizing prompt testing to control outbreaks.

Some parents are opting out of vaccinating their children.

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