Local Matters: The business of being a doctor, County Commission updates and UNCA environmen­talism

In this edition of Local Matters—the Xpress weekly news podcast—news intern Caitlin Byrd talks about her story on the business of being a doctor, reporter Jake Frankel gives details on the most-recent Buncombe County Commission meeting, and environmental reporter Susan Andrew talks about the ongoing efforts of a UNCA student environmental group.

Federal grant allows for local Nurse-Family Partnershi­p program expansion

A portion of a $1.6 million grant will help Buncombe County’s Department of Health help more first-time, low-income mothers than ever before in its Nurse-Family Partnership program. “Babies don’t come with manuals,” says Jennings Garry, Buncombe County NFP nurse supervisor. “When you’re a new mother with limited resources, it’s difficult to know all the things required to be a successful parent. By growing our team of registered nurses, we can empower more families to make a healthy start.”

“Wellness Review” not worth its salt

Wade Inganamort’s reference to the Organic.com story "Lower Salt Intake May Cause (Not Prevent) Heart Disease" leaves me wondering what can possibly be next [“Wellness Roundup,” June 15 Xpress]. Maybe "a recent study has shown that oatmeal may be a silent killer?” Inganamort surely needs some backup to support his blockbuster claim. — Ralph Dimenna […]

YWCA calls for help funding Diabetes Wellness program

Walt Roberson is, as he puts it, “an ol’ drill sergeant” and a Vietnam vet who spent more than 30 years working his beat as an Asheville police officer. He’s used to being tough, and at more than 6 feet tall, he’s probably never been a small man. But now 60, the retired city resident says he came close to “doing something stupid” after he left the force: He gained weight till he was pushing 400 pounds, had knee surgery, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and got so depressed that suicide wasn’t much too close in his mind.