WNC Wellness Review: NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund faces the ax

• North Carolina health fund faces the ax:

“A state trust fund financing anti-tobacco and obesity programs could be gone by the end of the year, a move advocates said will lead to more tobacco use among teens and increased medical costs. The House budget passed last week abolishes the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund as of Dec. 31, diverting money from the trust fund to help close a projected budget gap of more than $2 billion.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times] 

• WNC’s largest mental health/disability agencies join forces:

“On May 1, 2011, WNC’s largest mental health/disability services provider and substance abuse treatment agency join forces as they move to a shared location at 90 Asheland Avenue in Asheville, NC.” – [MX Blogwire] 

• Teachers bring healthy vending machines to Asheville-area schools:

“[…] The couple took out a home equity loan to buy 10 vending machines that they filled with healthy snacks. The machines, stocked with items like sports bars, healthier potato chips, organic cookies, fruit snacks and milk, now grace the halls of two local high schools, two middle schools, Warren Wilson College and the YMCA in Hendersonville.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times] 

• Evidence suggests that caffeine is a healthful antioxidant:

“An in-depth analysis of how the caffeine in coffee, tea, and other foods seems to protect against conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease at the most fundamental levels has been reported by researchers at Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa in Mexico. The researchers describe evidence that coffee is one of the richest sources of healthful antioxidants in the average person’s diet. Some of the newest research points to caffeine (also present in tea, cocoa, and other foods) as the source of powerful antioxidant effects that may help protect people from Alzheimer’s and other diseases.” – [kurzweilai.net]

• Memorial art exhibit raises awareness around mental health:

“May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Pasay’s mother, Anne Burke, arranged the exhibit to shed light on mental health issues. Burke spoke candidly with Xpress about her daughter’s illness, with hopes of quelling the stigma and shame felt by families and patients diagnosed with a mental illness.” – [Mountain Xpress]

• “Hike to Health” registration now open:

“Registration for Hike to Health is now open. You can register by calling 1.866.790.WELL (9355). Adults are $15 and you get a short sleeve T-shirt with the poster design on it. Children 10 years old and under are free.” – [Pardee Blog] 

• Study: Diet, not meds, best for osteoporosis:

“A University of Illinois study finds that an effective first course of action is increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking calcium and vitamin D supplements […] The scientist said that prescription bone-building medications are expensive, and many have side effects, including ironically an increase in hip fractures and jaw necrosis.” – [University of Illinois] 

• Heart attack? There’s an app for that :

“An Oklahoma doctor has created an iPhone application he says can save lives.” – [CNN] 

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