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Medicaid has covered more than $28.6 million in claims for dental services since expansion began, according to state data. (DC Studio/Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Thursday, September 19, 2024

NC dentists warn of crisis due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

En 2023, hubo m�s de 4000 muertes sospechosas de sobredosis en Carolina del Norte. (Adobe Stock)

Proyecto de NC aborda crisis de opioides con una red de apoyo unificada

En el condado de Robeson, la crisis de opioides está exponiendo la necesidad de un mayor apoyo a las adicciones. El Southeastern Prevention and …

Amirah McCree, a Charlotte paralegal, with her family. McCree said nurses rushed her to deliver her second child. (Courtesy Amirah McCree)

NC woman sheds light on medical mistreatment of Black mothers

By Kylie Marsh for the Charlotte Post, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North …

According to a 2023 study, culturally tailored breastfeeding education and support could help reduce disparities around race and ethnicity. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates in NC address racial inequities in breastfeeding

Rates of breastfeeding in the U.S. have more than doubled since the mid-2000s but advocates pointed out racial inequities during Black Breastfeeding …

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act directs the DEA to register certain practitioners to prescribe methadone that is dispensed through a pharmacy for an individual's unsupervised use. (Adobe Stock)

As overdose deaths rise, NC advocates urge easier methadone access

Some North Carolina groups advocating for harm reduction among people struggling with drug addiction are calling for broader access to methadone…

Participating hospitals will relieve outstanding debt for Medicaid enrollees and individuals with incomes up to 350% of the federal poverty level. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits urge hospitals to eliminate medical debt

Nonprofits across North Carolina are urging hospitals to help tackle the state's $4 billion in medical debt. A group of Black nonprofit leaders …

More than 5.4 million veterans have received free screenings for toxic exposures from the Department of Veterans Affairs under the PACT Act, according to the White House. (Adobe Stock)

The PACT Act: A lifeline for NC veterans exposed to toxic substances

Aug. 10 marks the two-year anniversary of the "Honoring Our PACT Act" being signed by President Joe Biden. The PACT Act was designed to expand …

North Carolina officials reported nearly 77% of overdose deaths in 2021 likely involved fentanyl. (Adobe Stock) <br />

NC district attorneys focus on fentanyl crisis progress, needs

President Joe Biden is urging stricter penalties for drug smugglers to combat the fentanyl crisis nationwide. Meanwhile, North Carolina District …

The Affordable Care Act became law in 2010 and served as comprehensive health care reform aiming to make health insurance more affordable.(Adobe Stock)

North Carolina health advocate raises awareness of life-saving acts

A North Carolina woman is speaking out about the importance of the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. DonnaMarie Woodson, who …

Older adults, very young children and people with chronic diseases are at highest risk for heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Expert tips on staying safe during NC's heat wave

As scorching heat waves sweep across North Carolina, experts are urging residents and visitors to take precautions. With parts of the state facing …

North Carolina has received more than 105,000 contacts to its 988 system via call, chat and text in the past 12 months. (Adobe Stock)

Improving crisis response in NC: A path to long-term success

North Carolina must increase its crisis response capacity for long-term success, according to a new report by the mental-health policy group …

By age 8, 52% of children have had a cavity in their primary baby teeth. (Adobe Stock)

NC dentists stress importance of children's dental health during summer

As summer kicks into full gear, North Carolina dentists stressed the importance of maintaining children's dental health. Dr. Miranda Kalaskey…

Nationally, the child poverty rate decreased from 17.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Annie. E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

NC kids face challenges at school, but rising economic well-being

A new report sheds light on children's well-being in North Carolina, and highlights the need for greater academic support. According to the latest …

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. It claimed more lives in 2021 than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. (Adobe Stock)

NC woman highlights role of family history in heart health

A North Carolina woman is highlighting how important knowing your family history can be in matters of the heart. According to the American Heart …

Black women are at particularly high risk of heart disease and stroke during pregnancy, which TaShenma Mack found out firsthand before the birth of her daughter. (Photo courtesy of TaShenma Mack)

NC mom raises awareness of heart disease risks for new mothers

North Carolina's maternal death rate is higher than the national average and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among new moms in th…

About 7.4 million adults take insulin, a hormone regulating glucose and used to treat diabetes patients. (Adobe Stock)

Insulin shortage raises concerns for people with diabetes in NC

More than 1 million people in North Carolina are diabetic and they have become increasingly worried about the national shortage of insulin. The …

Federal researchers found nearly three in four children who were disenrolled during the

Report: NC works to keep kids on Medicaid health coverage

A new report showed North Carolina is one of only a few states taking a cautious approach to removing families with children from Medicaid since the p…

Investigadores federales encontraron que casi tres de cada cuatro ni�os a quienes se les cancel� su inscripci�n durante el proceso de

Informe: NC trabaja para mantener niños con cobertura médica de Medicaid

Un nuevo informe muestra a Carolina del Norte como uno de los pocos estados que ha adoptado un enfoque cauteloso al retirar a las familias con niñ…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 40 workers die every year from heat-related incidents, but farmworker advocates said the number could be higher. (Adobe Stock)

Group takes steps to protect NC farm workers from heat stress

Farmworkers in North Carolina and across the U.S. face scorching heat with little protection at the federal and state level. However, the Farm Labor …

Over the span of a decade, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust has invested $107.5 million across ten North Carolina counties including Beaufort, McDowell, Halifax, Rockingham, Burke, Edgecombe, Nash, Bladen, Columbus and Robeson.

Report finds long-term Investment in rural areas improves resources

A new report reveals that investing in rural areas can improve essential resources for the people living there. Despite a significant rural …

A lo largo de una d�cada, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust ha invertido $107,5 millones en diez condados de Carolina del Norte, incluidos Beaufort, McDowell, Halifax, Rockingham, Burke, Edgecombe, Nash, Bladen, Columbus y Robeson.

Informe concluye que inversión a largo plazo en zonas rurales mejora los recursos

Un nuevo informe revela que invertir en zonas rurales puede mejorar los recursos esenciales para las personas que viven allí. A pesar de una …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, accounting for about 16 percent of global emissions. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina weighs in on Duke Energy's methane gas proposal

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is giving residents a chance to voice their opinion on a plan which could influence how their electricity is g…

According to the CDC, untreated cavities can lead to a severe infection under the gums which can spread to other parts of the body and have serious, and in rare cases fatal, results. (Adobe Stock)

NC dentists raises awareness on childhood tooth decay and prevention

February is Children's Dental Health Month and dentists want to raise awareness about the most common childhood disease and how to prevent it…

Stephanie Bowden is pictured with her mother and sister. (Courtesy Hannah Booth Photography)

NC survivor empowers young women to protect their heart health

February is American Heart Month and according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women…

According to CleanAIRE NC, frontline communities are constantly dealing with a range of environmental risks, including power plants, sewage plants, roads and highways, landfills and others. (Adobe Stock)

NC to tackle pollution disparities with Environmental Justice Council

North Carolina is taking action to address environmental injustice, specifically targeting areas disproportionately affected by pollution and climate …

Grupos de NC trabajan por equidad en la salud en medio de cambios en Medicaid

La equidad sanitaria se está convirtiendo en una prioridad en Carolina del Norte a medida que Medicaid experimenta cambios. Las personas en todo …

NC groups work to improve health equity amid Medicaid changes

Health equity is becoming a top priority in North Carolina as Medicaid undergoes changes. People across the state are experiencing updates, that …

A 2017 report in the New England Journal of Medicine found, among participants with coronary artery disease, fluctuation in body weight was associated with higher mortality and a higher rate of cardiovascular events, independent of traditional risk factors. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

Post-holiday diets can impact heart health

Diet and exercise ads may be all your social media feed is filled with in January, however, resolutions to maintain balance are best for the heart…

The latest America's Health Rankings report showed 11% of people avoided care because of a lack of insurance between 2021 and 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Depression rates on rise in North Carolina

Depression is on the rise in North Carolina, based on the latest America's Health Rankings data. Between 2018 and 2022, mental distress increased by …

North Carolina is one of 41 states to expand Medicaid since 2014. (Adobe Stock)

Officials urge NC residents to enroll during Medicaid expansion

North Carolina is pushing to expand health care to those who need it most and officials from UnitedHealthcare are urging residents to take advantage o…

More than 2,000 patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities have received dental care in group home day center settings across North Carolina, according to Access Dental. (Adobe Stock)

Improving NC access to dental care for people with disabilities

Most people probably never give a second thought to their visits to the dentist, but not everyone can navigate this process with ease. People with …

KFF research suggests that Medicaid expansion has helped reduce disparities in coverage by income, age, marital status, disability status and, in some studies, race/ethnicity. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolinians gain greater access to health care with Medicaid expansion

Starting Friday, North Carolinians will have greater access to health care as the long-awaited Medicaid expansion is launched. Medicaid will …

The Data Resource Library was collaboratively developed by grantees and community partners to bridge the gap between data literacy, accessibility and capacity, creating an engaging and direct resource.(Adobe Stock)

NC groups create database to increase access for health equity

Organizations in North Carolina are stepping up to make data more accessible for those in need. Kate B. Reynolds, together with the North Carolina …

La Biblioteca de Recursos de Datos fue desarrollada en colaboraci�n por beneficiarios y socios de la comunidad para salvar la brecha entre la alfabetizaci�n de datos, la accesibilidad y la capacidad, creando un recurso atractivo y directo. (Adobe Stock)

Grupos de NC crean base de datos para aumentar acceso a equidad sanitaria

Organizaciones de Carolina del Norte están dando un paso adelante para hacer que los datos sean más accesibles para quienes los necesitan…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported about one in three adults did not get a dental exam or have their teeth cleaned in 2019, and people in urban areas were more likely to visit a dentist than those in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

NC dentist highlights need to address health risks of bleeding gums

Bleeding gums may seem like a minor annoyance, but experts warn they could indicate underlying health problems, which should not be taken lightly…

In the last 18 years, 195 rural hospitals in the U.S. have either closed completely (100) or converted to emergency or outpatient care only (95), based on data from the University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. (Adobe Stock)

NC health insurance: Think ahead to choose best plan for 2024

It is almost time to select health insurance for the coming year in North Carolina, which means starting your research now and getting acquainted …

Among 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide, 2.08 million or 8.33% report using drugs in the last month. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina fights back against youth overdose epidemic

In the wake of the devastating overdose epidemic in North Carolina, the state's Department of Health and Human Services is stepping up to aid …

Last year, CCF estimated that as many as 6.7 million children could experience a period of uninsurance as a consequence of the unwinding. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

North Carolina Children at Risk of Losing Health Coverage

Right now, many North Carolina Medicaid participants are up for redetermination - and experts are concerned about the number of North Carolina …

El a�o pasado, el CCF calcul� que hasta 6.7 millones de ni�os podr�an experimentar un periodo de carencia de seguro como consecuencia de la eliminaci�n. (Adobe Stock)

Niños de Carolina del Norte en riesgo de perder cobertura médica

En este momento, muchos participantes de Medicaid de Carolina del Norte están listos para una redeterminación y los expertos están …

About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills in the collections process. (Adobe Stock) About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills that are in the collections process. (Adobe Stock) About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills that are in the collections process. (Adobe Stock)

NC Foundation Helps Erase $2.2 Million in Medical Debt

The burden of medical debt is not so heavy anymore for some lucky North Carolina residents. The Coastal Credit Union Foundation partnered with the …

Ten million third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are extracted from about 5 million people in the United States each year, at an annual cost of more than $3 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Words of Wisdom on Wisdom Teeth: Insights from NC Oral Surgeon

About six in 10 people have wisdom teeth, and for parents hearing they need to get a child's wisdom teeth removed, a North Carolina oral surgeon has …

Atrium Health is one of the businesses committing to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Sector Pledge, aiming to reduce emissions by 50% percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NC Faces Urgent Need for Clean Air, Climate Action

North Carolina is grappling with the consequences of climate change, with sweltering summers, a surge in wildfires, and frequent extreme weather …

Gen Z breaks the silence with higher rates of self-reporting and treatment for mental health conditions. In the past two years, nearly 20% of people in this age group report having anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

Stepping Up to Help 'Gen Z' Navigate Mental Health Needs in NC

Research shows that members of "Generation Z" - now in their teens to mid-20s - are almost twice as likely to struggle with mental health issues as ot…

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed standards for coal and natural gas power plants would result in avoiding up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions through 2042. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Nears to Comment on Proposed NC Pollution Standards

Climate change is a pressing concern as the world deals with heat waves and poor air quality caused by recent wildfires. To safeguard the health and …

Youth-Led Nonprofit Works to Transform Rural NC Health, Wellness

Rural areas in North Carolina have long been grappling with limited access to services, from health care to internet access, and a unique nonprofit …

The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that each month in the United States, consumers purchase 11.9 million in disposable e-cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

A Push to End Disposable Vape Sales in NC

Disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in North Carolina and across the country, according to a new report. The U.S. Public …

Aspartame was approved for use as a sweetener in the United States in 1974. (Adobe Stock)

Dueling Reports about Aspartame Leave Consumers Confused

Recent news headlines about the possible cancer risks from using the common artificial sweetener aspartame might have alarmed people who eat and drink…

Statewide enrollment grew 36% during the pandemic, with more than 797,000 people newly qualifying for coverage from March 2020 until last April. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid Redetermination in NC: Thousands at Risk of Losing Coverage

North Carolinians face a significant challenge as the federal provision preventing states from removing Medicaid participants from their coverage in t…

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NC: Health