WNC Wellness review: Healthcare turf wars, Tai Chi for cancer survivors and more

• Hospital turf war in WNC heats up:

A state bill aimed at ensuring a balance of power between Mission Health System and smaller hospitals has placed lawmakers in the middle of a healthcare turf war. As Mission steps up efforts to acquire smaller hospitals and doctors’ practices around the region, some fear the Asheville-based health system will siphon healthcare dollars away from local communities and limit the scope of medical care patients can get closer to home.” – [Smokey Mountain News] 

• NC Medical Board took actions against 13 WNC doctors in 2010:

The North Carolina Medical Board took actions against 226 medical practitioners in 2010, a slight increase from 2009, according to an annual report released this week. There were increases in medical license suspensions and reprimands, the most serious disciplinary actions the board can take. There was also a rise in public letters of concern statewide. In Western North Carolina, 19 different actions were taken against 13 practitioners last year, including suspension of three doctors.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times] 

Health Insurers making record profits as many postpone care:

The nation’s major health insurers are barreling into a third year of record profits, enriched in recent months by a lingering recessionary mind-set among Americans who are postponing or forgoing medical care.” – [NYTimes]

Tai chi offers special benefits for cancer survivors:

Every Thursday morning, a group of women who share a common bond gather at Mission Hospital’s Wellness Resource Center at 50 Doctors Drive on the Memorial Campus.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times]

Study: Kids taking ADHD drugs at low risk for heart problems:

Children taking drugs to control attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appear to be at no greater risk for heart problems than kids not taking ADHD medications, a new study finds. […] The findings should reassure parents that drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall aren’t associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events” – [MSN Health] 

May 17th: Free bone density screening at Walmart in Hendersonville:

1:00pm – 4:00pm – Bone density screening for osteoporosis. Please wear shoes and socks that are easy to slip off.” – [ParkRidgeHealth] 

‘Master switch’ gene for obesity and diabetes discovered:

A gene linked to type 2 diabetes and cholesterol levels is in fact a “master regulator” gene that controls the behavior of other genes found within fat in the body, researchers at King’s College London and the University of Oxford have found.” – [kurzweilai.net] 

Please submit WNC health & wellness info to: mxhealth@mountainx.com

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