WNC Wellness review: Pardee+Mission deal, N.C. air-quality standards and more

• Deal with Mission not so solid:

“The chairman of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners said Wednesday the board will rescind a requirement that commissioners must approve a proposed joint venture between Pardee and Mission hospitals now that Pardee has hired a CEO and entered into a managerial agreement with UNC Health Care.” – [BlueRidgeNow] 

• NC bill would repeal existing state air quality standards:

“Existing N.C. air quality standards would be eliminated under provisions of a bill moving through the N.C. General Assembly. Environmentalists argue that the bill would eliminate provisions of health-based air quality standards in place for the past two decades, while businesses say it would reduce unneeded duplication of state and federal rules.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times] 

• Chinese medicine offers new Parkinson’s treatments:

“Early this year, 115 people with Parkinson’s were given a combination of traditional Chinese medical herbs, including gou teng, or a placebo for 13 weeks. At the end of the study, volunteers who had taken the herbs slept better and had more fluent speech than those taking the placebo.” – [NewScientist] 

“June 27th is designated as ‘National HIV Testing Day,’ a day for all Americans and those within our borders to ‘Take the Test, Take Control’. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, there are approximately 236,000 people in the United States who do not realize that they are HIV positive. ” – [wncap.org ] 

“After an extensive search of 150 applicants for a new chief executive officer, Pardee Hospital’s Board of Directors announced today they have selected James (Jay) Kirby II for the position of President and CEO. Pardee anticipates that he could be available to begin his new position as soon as August 1 or before.” – [Pardee Blog] 

“From the scrumptious sugar in those decadent cookies to the incomparable comfort of mac and cheese, there are some palate pleasers that just can’t be replaced. But as local experts point out, a few simple switcheroos can make this summer’s meals a little healthier without giving up favorite food. Consider these substitutes to make your family favorites a little healthier.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times] 

• Rising City healthcare costs :

“Some retired Asheville city employees are upset about rising healthcare premiums. An anonymous retired worker sent a letter to the mayor and council complaining about a 322 percent increase in their healthcare insurance rate. The writer says city retirees are being targeted to pay for a new wellness clinic and other new healthcare expenses like Domestic Partner Benefits.” – [WLOS] 

“Gaston County lost one of its only two rheumatologists last month, a development that left patients scrambling for new specialists and in the dark about why their doctor is no longer seeing patients.” – [Gaston Gazette] 

“There is some good news. For one, winter is wrapping up in the Southern Hemisphere and the expected massive outbreak never developed. South America’s declining infection rate is viewed as an indicator of what we can expect in the U.S. this flu season. And two, most people who contract H1N1 recover without intensive treatment. H1N1 has not proven to be any more lethal than our typical winter influenzas which claim the lives of about 36,000 Americans annually, most often the elderly.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times] 

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