Leelanau Family Practice

11/04/2025

Leelanau County, Benzie County & Traverse City Area Food Resources

When our web development clients at the Benzie County Democrats shared a page with resources to help family, friends & neighbors get through the chaos caused by a lapse in SNAP benefit funding, we realized we should do the same!

You can click through to the link below for food security resources for Leelanau, Benzie & Grand Traverse Counties. Leelanau food security resources that we'd like to highlight include:

5loaves2fish, an outreach group that promotes compassion by providing nourishing meals, infused with love, to those experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. Meal sites in Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie Counties.

Leelanau Christian Neighbors, a non-profit empowering Leelanau residents facing challenging times through food, baby supplies, and emergency aid.

The Lively NeighborFood Market

Their SNAP Gap for Neighbors program from the Lively's local, year-round farmer's market provides fresh, healthy foods for SNAP Bridge card holders.

The Folded Leaf

Offering a Community Shelf with food, paper and sanitary products, and more including a gluten free section!

Empire Area Food Pantry where clients can get canned and dry foods as well as meats and fresh produce. Open to all Leelanau residents.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians providing community food rescue & self-sufficiency to members within their six-county service area.

Many more resources at: https://leelanau.com/leelanau-county-benzie-county-traverse-city-area-food-resources/

09/08/2025

08/21/2025

American Academy of Pediatrics has released our annual update to our immunization recommendations to best help children and adolescents build immunity and stay healthy.

Since our founding in the 1930s, the AAP has been creating evidence-based vaccine recommendations that are rooted in the latest science and our deep clinical knowledge about children’s health.

With misinformation about immunizations spreading, AAP is publishing our own, independent vaccine recommendations, including updated recommendations for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19. Read our full policy statement to learn about AAP's updated immunization schedule.
https://bit.ly/4lsW8El

08/20/2025

06/25/2025

Measles is spreading across the U.S. It’s most dangerous for kids, but adults can get very sick too—and spread it to vulnerable people. Talk to your health care provider to see if you need an MMR vaccine, especially if you're traveling soon. You can get one at doctor’s offices, local health departments, and many pharmacies.

For more information on measles and vaccinations, visit health.ingham.org or contact the Ingham County Health Department Immunization Clinic at 517-887-4316 or at Immunization@ingham.org

06/21/2025

A second confirmed case of measles was announced Friday, two days after the first case was confirmed.

06/18/2025

Media Release: Confirmed Case of Measles Identified in Grand Traverse County. At this time, there are no known public exposures related to this case. The GTCHD encourages residents and visitors to be current on Measles vaccinations.

To view the media release, visit our web www.gtcountymi.gov/2609/Media-Releases. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 231-995-6131.

03/31/2025

April Immunization Clinics

Staying up to date on vaccinations is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you. This April, we're offering our regular immunization clinics, plus after-hours measles vaccination clinics to help ensure everyone has access to this important protection.

Call 231-882-4409 ext 3 to schedule an appointment.

03/24/2025

Attention parents: Michigan's child car seat laws will change in April!

Vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for young children, according to the Michigan State Police. However, you can reduce your child's risk of death in a crash by 50% just by making sure they're in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for their age and size. 🚗

To learn more about Michigan's Child Passenger Safety, please visit www.michigan.gov/carseats.

03/18/2025

With multiple measles outbreaks occurring nationwide and Michigan confirming its first case of 2025 this past weekend, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is taking proactive steps to prepare for potential cases in Benzie and Leelanau Counties.

“Approximately 81%-83% of school-aged children in Benzie and Leelanau Counties are vaccinated against measles,” said Dan Thorell, Health Officer at the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department. “That still leaves around 17%-19% vulnerable to infection if measles reaches our community.”

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading through airborne droplets that can linger for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room. 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus will become infected.

Read more: www.bldhd.org/publications/

03/01/2025

The number of influenza cases is surging across the United States, putting significant strain on many hospitals. We asked the experts to explain what makes this year's flu season so unusual.