WNC wellness review: State denies endoscopy center, hunger rates at 30 percent, and whooping cough

State denies Mission, Pardee request for new endoscopy center

The state put the brakes on Mission Health and Pardee Hospital’s proposal to relocate an endoscopy center from Asheville to Fletcher today, Aug. 26. Mission officials say they’re committed to moving forward with the plan, according to an online report at BlueRidgeNow.com (the Hendersonville Times-News website).

But state legislators seem to have their eye on Mission, the sixth largest in the state but much smaller than at least two other systems that have facilities in Western North Carolina — Adventist Health, which owns Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher; and Carolinas Health, which administers three MedWest hospitals in WNC.

From the Mountain Xpress

Study: Nearly 30 percent of WNC children experience hunger

MANNA FoodBank and Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, released new data Wednesday that revealed a staggering 29.9 percent of children under the age of 18 are food insecure in Western North Carolina.

The study, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011,” indicates that there are children struggling with hunger in every county in America. While one in six Americans overall is “food insecure,” the rate for children is much higher — nearly one in four.

North Carolina ranks 11th in the country in child food insecurity at 27.3 percent. While Buncombe County is close to the state average, at 27.5 percent, neighboring counties on each end of WNC have disturbing levels of food insecurity among children.

From the Asheville Citizen-Times

Medicaid service reductions to take effect in October

New cuts to health services for the poor take hold in October, with the elimination of eye exams and glasses for adults on Medicaid.

Medicaid recipients are receiving notices about reductions, eliminations or other changes to an array of health services in the next few months. The $354 million Medicaid cut in the state budget includes limits and other changes to services totaling $16.5 million.

From the Charlotte News & Observer

Whooping cough scare at Asheville High

Asheville High officials are notifying parents about the symptoms of whooping cough after a teacher’s child came down with the illness. The child is not a student at the school, and the teacher has not been confirmed to have the illness, officials have said.

“They are just trying to be cautious,” said Sue Ellen Morrison, disease control manager for Buncombe County Department of Health.

The Asheville High principal planned an automated call to all families with students at the school, according to Charlie Glazener, spokesman for the school system. The symptoms of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, include runny nose, mild cough, watery eyes, sneezing and low-grade fever.

From the Asheville Citizen-Times

Carolinas HealthCare System launches first mobile app

Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) recently launched its first-ever mobile application, CMC Health, to provide patients convenient access to medical care when they need it most.

CHS is the only hospital system in Mecklenburg County with this type of application. The application is free and now available for download through the Apple iTunes store and iPhone App store, and in the marketplace for use on Android mobile devices, by searching for “CMC Health.”

From Aug. 27 press release

Meridian Behavioral Health Services, Inc. receives grant

Meridian Behavioral Health Services, Inc. recently received grant funding from the Evergreen Foundation to purchase “state of the art” electronic health record (EHR) and business management software. Healthcare reform will necessitate that all healthcare providers, including behavioral health organizations like Meridian, utilize EHRs in the forseeable future. In fact, organizations that aren’t using EHRs and aren’t capable of electronic billing will be penalized with lower rates for Medicaid and Medicare services.

From Aug. 27 press release

Fundraising dinner for new alternative medicine program planned for Sept. 24

Moe’s Original Bar B Que will host the 2nd Annual Cookin’ with Compassion fundraising dinner to benefit Four Seasons’ new Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program.

The dinner will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Moe’s Bar B Que, 4 Sweeten Creek Road in Biltmore Village. The dinner will feature live bluegrass music. The menu includes pulled pork BBQ, sides, cornbread, banana pudding, and drinks (cash bar available).

All proceeds from the event directly benefit the patients receiving Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) from Four Seasons. This new program offers a variety of gentle, comforting therapies that either complement or serve as an alternative to conventional medical therapies.

From Aug. 28 press release

Active Aging week 2011 set for Sept. 25-Oct. 1

Enjoy FREE life enhancing activities during Active Aging Week, September 25 – October 1. The Land-of-Sky Regional Council, partners and sponsors invite you to get an energy boost at the Wellness Expo that will kick off Active Aging Week on Monday, September 26 at the Biltmore Square Mall!

Among the advantages of growing older is the ability to pursue that which is of greatest importance. As we age it become increasingly clear that good health is of immense value. Older adults, their families and friends can enjoy the many paths to meaningful activity during Active Aging Week 2011, which will take place Sunday, September 25 through Saturday, October 1.

Active Aging Week, initiated by the International Council on Active Aging®, is designed to spread a universal message: people can live as fully as possible throughout their life span.

From Aug. 26 press release