With only a single case in our state about a decade ago, congenital syphilis has been on the rise ever since.

In 2023, (according to preliminary data), North Carolina lost nine people from this completely preventable cause; with another 63 babies suffering from  congenital syphilis infection.  

According to Victoria Mobley, HIV/STI medical director for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health, more than half of the mothers of the babies born with syphilis had no documented prenatal care at the time they delivered. Equally of concern, of the women who did have prenatal care, only 41% received appropriate screening tests, despite state law requirements for syphilis testing for anyone who is pregnant (at first pre-natal visit, again between 28-30 weeks gestation and at time of delivery). 

Sadly, this is a national epidemic, and more action must be taken to begin to address it.

Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Provider Learning Collaborative

Role of the Psychiatric Consultant/Systematic Caseload Review

February 15, 2024 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Join us on Thursday, February 15 for the second Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Provider Learning Collaborative which will focus on the following topic: Role of the Psychiatric Consultant/Systematic Caseload Review.

The Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team supports social, physical, and economic environments which promote attaining the full potential of health and well-being for all. This blog segment highlights impactful publications which promote improved health outcomes through Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) each month.

According to the highlighted article for this month, the importance of the family's role has been overlooked in the context of social determinants of health, despite the increasing attention towards this topic. The author discusses the implications of understanding and incorporating the family perspective in nursing practice, research, education, and policy. The article emphasizes the significance of acknowledging the impact of family dynamics on health results and proposes the necessity of a comprehensive approach to tackle health disparities.

You've been sitting there longer than you meant to, right?

You have

• Three reports that need to get done
• Five more to do's on your list
• 17 emails to respond to (and 33 more land in your inbox while you're on number 3)
  
  Now, 
  • The phone rings
  • Your supervisor is standing at your door looking frustrated
    
    Sound familiar? Just another (insert day of week here)!

No doubt you are feeling the tension building in your neck, shoulders, and arms....

Try these 3 Easy Desk Stretches!

Join in on this Webinar February 7th to hear more information about new programs and opportunities included in the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule & MIPS updates.

In North Carolina, a new state law has added the anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication gabapentin to the list of drugs that are tracked through the state's prescription drug management system, the NC Controlled Substances Reporting System.

Can pet ownership reduce cognitive decline for older adults? A recent JAMA Neurology article investigates this question, examining the impact of pet ownership on verbal memory and fluency for adults ages 50 and older.

The Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team was awarded a grant from NC Medicaid supporting five different online self-paced learning activities.

REGISTER NOW!

Medicaid Managed Care Fireside Chat:

Medicaid Expansion & Other Hot Topics

Thursday,  January 18 | 5:30 p.m.

Did you know?

The typical primary care physician caring for Medicare patients must coordinate care with 229 other physicians working in 117 practices?

The 2024 Final Rule from CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) established a new code to ensure Primary Care Providers receive additional payment for the high-value visits they provide.