Community News

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 20, 2022 – In a September 20^th press release, local environmental groups recommended that improving stormwater management is one of the best interventions to reduce the pollution of the French Broad River. This echoes the opinion of the Asheville Stormwater Task Force’s January report of the importance to control and maintain runoff systems to keep the river healthy for recreation. Surface water quality standards for the French Broad River must meet the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Class B standards which include primary recreational activities of swimming where bodily contact with water is considered frequent. Booming construction and development, more frequent heavy rains due to climate change, and an aging stormwater system have resulted in more runoff from urban areas, more sewer overflows, and increased waterway sediment. These groups want to protect both the ecological and economic value of the French Broad River Watershed.

On June 7^th, North Carolina water quality officials reported that a 19-mile section of the French Broad River from Long Shoals Road to Craggy Dam in Buncombe County is ‘impaired’ because of elevated E. Coli bacteria levels above Class B standards. The same section of the river was also found to be ‘impaired’ in 2021. E. coli, a fecal coliform bacteria, is a reliable indicator of the presence of other bacteria and pathogens that are harmful to human health. These bacteria come from stormwater runoff, livestock manure, failing septic systems, leaking sanitation sewer overflows and feces from wildlife and pets. Contact with or consumption of contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illness and skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported symptoms are stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever.

The river has a strong economic presence around Asheville. It is estimated to bring in $3.8 billion annually according to a study by Western Carolina University economics professor Steve Ha and the French Broad River Partnership, a group of more than 50 organizations that want to improve the river’s health for environmental and economic benefits.

Hartwell Carson, the French Broad Riverkeeper, said in the release, “The recommendations from the task force are designed to filter out these pollutants before they reach our local waterways.” Traditional stormwater management is designed to move water quickly to the nearest stream while modern methods use more green infrastructure like planting trees and restoring wetlands, an economical approach to water management that can protect, restore and mimic the natural water cycle.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

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

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 22, 2022 – The Buncombe County Health & Human Services Public Health Department was awarded the Dr. Sarah Morrow County Health Department of the Year by the North Carolina Public Health This award is given to 2 health departments for outstanding programs and efforts. Buncombe County won the award for large counties with a population greater than 59,999 people. The award was presented at the NCPHA Fall Educational Conference in Wilmington, NC.

The BC HHS Public Health Department was selected for their commitment to integrating equity in public health. The department was recognized statewide for its equity-focused approach to COVID-19 vaccine outreach, staff trainings, and other COVID-19 response programs and specifically recognized for the following:

• Building on history of integrating equity through service outreach, Community Health Assessment and staff trainings
• Establishing equity as part of the Incident Command System (ICS) operational structure of the COVID-19 response
• Integrating equity into COVID-19 vaccine outreach and at-home test kit distribution initiative
• Creating a Mobile Team with a focus on achieving equity by bringing public health and health care to historically marginalized populations like low resource areas and rural communities

Stoney Blevins, the BC DHHS Department Director, praised the department, “I am not surprised, as I get to witness Public Health’s effective and efficient practice on a consistent basis. Our Public Health team comes to work every day motivated and dedicated to making quality services available to as many residents as possible. We have excellent leadership in public health as well, with lots of talent across our service specialties. Dedication plus talent is the equation for success.”

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

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

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 28, 2022 – The CDC reports that the transmission level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending September 19^th. Most of North Carolina is low or medium although 22 out of 100 counties are at a high transmission level. Most of the counties in the U.S. are at a low or medium level with only 7% of the counties at a high level. For a community at a low transmission level, the CDC recommends:

• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and take additional precautions.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on September 17^th indicate:

• There have been 150 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days up from 125 cases in the previous week.
• 67% of the total population have received their primary vaccination series. Unchanged the past 7 weeks.
• 66% of people with their primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This is unchanged over the past 5 weeks.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 60 and has increased by 2 since last week, and of ICU patients is 5 and has decreased by 2 from the previous week.

The FDA and the CDC approved a new COVID booster that targets the original virus and the new dominant BA.4 and BA.5 variants. This new booster will replace the previous booster shot that had targeted only the original version of the virus. However, the original vaccine will still be used for persons who have not received the primary vaccination series. The booster shots will be available at the Department of Public Health Coxe Avenue vaccination clinic, pharmacies, community health centers and rural health clinics. Eligible persons 12 years old and up can have the booster. They must be at least 2 months after any prior COVID-19 shots and have had the primary vaccination series. The CDC advises that people who recently had COVID consider delaying their boosters until 3 months after their symptoms started or after a positive COVID test if they were asymptomatic.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should protect themselves and others by wearing a mask.
• Effective September 23, 2022, the CDC recommend wearing masks in health care and long-term care settings if there are immunocompromised people in the facility. The N95 or KN95 mask offers the best protection. Wear a mask that is well-fitting.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

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

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 12, 2022 – The Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Department offers four hikes led by their staff on Saturday mornings this summer and fall. There is no cost to take advantage of this great opportunity to be outside, get some exercise, meet other people, and keep healthy. The 2nd hike in the series will take place Saturday, Sept. 24 at 9 AM along the 4.25 mile there-and-back Rattlesnake Lodge trail. Space is limited to 12 people. Advanced registration is required. You can register at  https://www.simpletix.com/e/sampler-hike-series-rattlesnake-lodge-hike-tickets-110544  The first hike of the series took place on August 27^th. It was a Lake Powhatan hike of 6.5 miles.

Walking up and down hills is a great form of exercise and a nice way to stay healthy. Hiking is fun and relaxing. It is a cardio and endurance workout that burns a lot of calories. There are many health benefits from hiking that include: weight loss, enhanced mental health and an increase in lower body strength. This activity can help reduce one’s risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and even some cancers. Hiking has also been shown to prevent osteoporosis. Before starting a new exercise program like hiking, a person should consult their primary care physician.

Hiking up and down hills is different than walking on flat surfaces because other muscles are involved in this form of exercise. Stretching is important. While beginning any new form of exercise, it is important get in shape to prevent injuries by starting slowly and stopping with the onset of any pain. Some common hiking injuries include: blisters, ankle joint sprains, knee pain, bug bites and sunburn. Some temperature-related problems may include: hyperthermia, hypothermia or dehydration.

It is important to bring the proper equipment in order to reduce the risk of injury. Have a pair of well supportive properly-fitting hiking shoes and a good pair of socks. Waterproof shoes are preferred. On day hikes, don’t’ forget to bring a lightweight backpack to carry plenty of water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen and layers of clothing. Proper dress is important and so is extra clothing depending on the weather forecast. It is preferable to dress in layers so that each layer can easily be removed or added as your body gets warmer with activity or if the weather changes.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

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

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – September 21, 2022 – The CDC reports that the transmission level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending September 8th. Most of North Carolina is low or medium although 27 out of 100 counties are at a high transmission level. Most of the counties in the U.S. are at a low or medium level with only 13% of the counties at a high level. For a community at a low transmission level, the CDC recommends:

• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and take additional precautions.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on September 7^th indicate:

• There have been 125 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days down from 136 cases in the previous week.
• 67% of the total population have received their primary vaccination series. Unchanged the past 6 weeks.
• 66% of people with their primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This is unchanged over the past 4 weeks.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 58 and has increased by 1 since last week, and of ICU patients is 7 and is unchanged from the previous week.
• Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for Buncombe County is moderately decreasing for the time period ending September 7th. The CDC website reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load is severely increasing for the time period ending September 15^th.

The FDA and the CDC approved a new COVID booster that targets the original virus and the new dominant BA.4 and BA.5 variants. This new booster will replace the previous booster shot that had targeted only the original version of the virus. However, the original vaccine will still be used for persons who have not received the primary vaccination series. The booster shots will be available at the Department of Public Health Coxe Avenue vaccination clinic, pharmacies, community health centers and rural health clinics. Eligible persons 12 years old and up can have the booster. They must be at least 2 months after any prior COVID-19 shots and have had the primary vaccination series. The CDC advises that people who recently had COVID consider delaying their boosters until 3 months after their symptoms started or after a positive COVID test if they were asymptomatic.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should protect themselves and others by wearing a mask.
• Effective May 4, 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and the CDC recommend wearing masks in health care and long-term care settings. The N95 or KN95 mask offers the best protection. Wear a mask that is well-fitting.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

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

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

WASHINGTON, DC – September 14, 2022 – The Healthy Opportunities Pilots is a new  federal pilot program that focuses on improving the health of Medicaid beneficiaries. It was launched earlier this year. The program incorporates evidenced-based non-medical interventions related to food, transportation, housing assistance, interpersonal safety and toxic stress reduction. The federal government has dedicated up to $650 million of additional Medicaid funding over the next five years. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will be responsible for implementing this program. The program will maintain equity and timeliness of the operations while strengthening the capacity for each community to provide services. The pilot study will evaluate the effect of the interventions on improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Upon a successful review, the pilot program will be expanded throughout the state.

 

In 2018, the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved a proposal by the state of North Carolina for a transition from a fee-for-service delivery system for Medicaid recipients to a managed care program in order to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of health care. As part of this transition plan, the federal government will allow the state to begin a pilot program to study the economic savings and health improvements that result from incorporating evidenced- based non-medical interventions.  Eighty percent of a person’s health is determined by social and environmental factors.

 

The pilot program will take place in 3 geographic regions in North Carolina. One is in the western part of the state including Buncombe County and the other 2  are located in the eastern part of the state. There are 29 non-medical interventions that will be evaluated. These services will be provided to eligible N.C. Medicaid recipients who live in a Pilot region with at least one health condition or social risk factor as determined by their Medicaid Health Plan. Payment for these goods and services will be covered by the funding for the pilot program.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

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

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour