Community News

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 18, 2024 – The winter surge of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, has passed. However, over the past 3 years, COVID-19 infections have also surged in August.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on September 7^th shows:  

• Between 2-3% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 3^rd lowest level of 6 groups and decreased since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are moderate in North Carolina, 3% of all visits and a moderate decrease since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on September 4^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 80-100%, the highest level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 10 to 99%, the second level of 3 groups with a positive rate of change.

Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in higher risk groups, like people ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions, and weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe COVID illness. Therefore, further surges can be reduced, and at-risk groups can be protected, with testing and keeping current with vaccination.

Americans will be able to obtain free at-home COVID tests again. You can order up to 4 tests at COVIDtest.gov in a few weeks.

There is a new COVID vaccine that has been recently approved for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The vaccine will reduce the risk of persons becoming severely ill. The timing is optimal to protect against getting sick during the winter surge of respiratory illness, when it is more likely to spread as more people are indoors. Check with local pharmacies for availability.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

BOSTON – August 31, 2024 – An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on August 31^st, showed that a combined measure of 3 blood tests was predictive of an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease in women. Researchers from Harvard Medical School obtained the blood tests from almost 30 thousand women who were then followed for 30 years. They were followed until either a major cardiovascular event occurred or until the completion of the study after 30 years. The blood tests were high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a).

About 1 in 5 Americans died from heart disease in 2022, according to the CDC. It is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Cardiovascular disease can include heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

The standard lipid panel is a common blood test that measures the levels of different types of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. This blood test is used to monitor and screen for someone’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Having high levels of certain types of cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to coronary artery disease, a precursor of cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery disease can reduce the blood flow to the heart by narrowing the heart’s arteries.

The LDL blood test is the standard biomarker that health care providers use to determine a person’s heart disease risk. High levels are associated with high risk. LDL is commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (called HDL) is the “good” cholesterol.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is an indicator of inflammation. It is a protein produced in the liver that increases in response to inflammation or infection. It can be measured by a simple blood test. The high-sensitivity test is more sensitive than the standard test and can measure smaller increases.

Lipoprotein(a) is not included in the standard lipid panel. However, it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is important to understand that lipoprotein(a) is unique because it is genetically determined without much fluctuation after early childhood. Lipoprotein(a) is a low-density lipoprotein variant and carries cholesterol through the blood stream to cells

The Harvard study’s results suggest that early prevention, before the usual timeframe, may reduce the risk of a woman to develop cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 6-7, 2024 – The North Carolina Dental Society and the NC Dental Society Foundation Missions of Mercy (MOM) held a free mobile dental clinic in Asheville on September 6^th and 7^th. According to the press release, the clinic provided “complimentary dental procedures for adults who cannot afford or do not have access to oral health care.” Free dental care was provided by licensed dentists, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, and x-rays.

The clinic was held at the East Asheville Campus of the Biltmore Church on 801 Fairview Road in Asheville. Patients were seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors opened at 6 am and patients had to arrive early each morning to be eligible.

Expectations ran high. 490 volunteers staffed the clinic. About 700 people were served. The dental volunteers have donated their time and their resources to treat these patients.

The North Carolina Dental Society represents 4 thousand dentists in the state. It is the state chapter of the American Dental Association, the nation’s largest dental association, representing 163,000 dentist members.

NC Dental Society Foundation MOM is a charitable organization whose mission is to improve access to oral health care in the state. The foundation has created a program to provide preventive care and treatment of dental problems in adults whose income is less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty index.

Kudos to the North Carolina Dental Society and to the NC Dental Society Foundation MOM!

Such good news!

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 11, 2024 – The winter surge of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, has passed. However, over the past 3 years, COVID-19 infections have also surged in August.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on August 31^st shows:  

• Between 3-4% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 3^rd lowest level of 6 groups and increased since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are moderate in North Carolina, between 3-4% of all visits and stable since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on August 28^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 80-100%, the highest level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 1 to 9%, the lowest level of 3 groups with a positive rate of change.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

The Organic Growers School’s 2nd Annual Sow & Grow Fest will take place Saturday, September 14, at Hickory Nut Gap farm from noon to 5 pm. Allison Stapleton, the development director for the school, spoke with Asheville FM about the event.

The Organic Growers School has been serving farmers, gardeners, and hobbyists of WNC for over 30 years. It began when farmers in the area gathered together to learn to grow in this mountainous region with so many microclimates.

Now in its second year, the Sow & Grow event offers the community a fun and healthy way to learn about organic practices. With activities including a mushroom inoculation demonstration and make-your-own seed bundles and postcards, there is something for everyone. They’ll even have a bouncy house! Farmers from the region will bring their tomatoes for the crowd to taste test and rank. There will even be plant and seed exchanges, so bring seeds you didn’t use this year and trade with a local!

Live music and local vendors will make the fest lively, and a potluck with plenty of farm fresh produce, roasted pork, and grilled steak, will satisfy any appetite. To eat at the potluck, simply bring your own dish to share or a suggested donation of $20.

Allison says the event is free, but the school is asking that people register ahead of time at organicgrowersschool.org. Listen to the entire interview in the AFM archives. See you there!

During this week’s AFM News Hour, we spoke with Christi Hayes of the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP). This national organization is a non-profit, fully volunteer-run program designed to help those who are experiencing emotionally traumatizing emergency situations. Volunteers go through extensive training before helping first responders on the scene. Serving all of Buncombe and Henderson counties, 24/7/365, TIP volunteers offer emotional and practical support to anyone who is experiencing sudden tragedy, including deaths, accidents, and any situation where first responders such as fire, police, or EMS feels emotional help is needed.

Christi says the program has been offered in the Asheville area since 2015. Their next training takes place in person on September 11 and requires no prior experience, “just a willingness to serve.” For more information on how to get involved, visit tipofwnc.org. You can listen to the full interview in the AFM News Hour archive.