The annual Share the Health Fair (STHF) was held at the Downtown Health Plaza on November 4, 2023 from 8-2 pm. This event provides free screenings and services to the underserved populations in Winston-Salem community.  

During the holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to our partners who have made our success possible. It is in this spirit that we say thank you and best wishes for the holidays and New Year!

Northwest AHEC would like to welcome Megan Mills Anderson, who joined our department in October as the Talent Pipeline Management Project Manager.

We are seeking a Community Health Worker (CHW) to join our team and play a crucial role in creating content for an e-learning course focused on motivational interviewing and coaching for tobacco cessation. The course aims to equip CHWs with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support the communities they serve. 

How many people in Forsyth county North Carolina are homeless each night? What are the main causes of homelessness? How is the community serving the homeless population? What are the needs in the community for serving the homeless population?

Katie Passaretti, MD, is vice president and enterprise chief epidemiologist at Atrium Health. Dr. Passaretti is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. She is a member of the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

As our population ages, addressing fall risks among the elderly becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining their well-being. Falls are a prevalent concern among older adults, leading to severe consequences such as injuries, hospitalizations, and decreased quality of life. Recent studies have shed light on the correlation between fall incidents and health status among the elderly, as well as the effectiveness of wearable technology in detecting and preventing such events.

Despite advancements in technology, preventing falls entirely remains a challenge. However, wearable devices equipped with fall detection capabilities offer a proactive approach to mitigate risks. By alerting caregivers or emergency services immediately after a real fall occurs, these devices facilitate prompt medical intervention, potentially reducing injury severity and improving outcomes for the elderly population.

Not all wearables are finding success, however as comfort, privacy, practicality, and user experience affect usage rates.

Listen to this episode of Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina with special guest, Richard Hirsh, Chief Marketing Officer for UnaliWear, a wearables tech company and producer of the Kanega watch for fall prevention.

The DEA has new training requirements for renewal of a prescriber’s DEA registration - As of June 23, 2023, anyone with a DEA license must attest that they have had 8 hours of education focusing on OUD. 

Winston-Salem State University's School of Health Sciences (SOHS) and Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) partnered to honor groups and individuals who have made a profoundly positive impact on the health and wellness of the residents of East Winston-Salem. during the 7th Annual Healthcare Legends of East Winston event on Wednesday, October 18th.

On September 25, 2023, the Nurse Educators of Northwest AHEC embarked on another one of their regional site visits. This time, their destination was to Boone, North Carolina, home to the prestigious Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University.