Today we bring you news from the HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) Primary Health Care Digest, on a variety of topics we thought would be of interest to primary care practitioners in all settings.

We have a new learning opportunity from Northwest AHEC called the Podcast Learning Series. Now you can listen to select episodes of our Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast and earn continuing education credits. And it’s free!

The podcast format allows you to listen at your convenience and multitask while listening. I personally like to do my cardio workout or weight training while consuming podcast content, and sometimes find myself listening while cooking, cleaning, or doing yard work. It's a great way to optimize your learning and your life activities.

This first episode in this Podcast Learning Series is on homelessness in Forsyth County. In this episode you will learn about the main causes of homelessness in our region, the services provided by service organizations in Forsyth County, and the challenges of serving the homeless population and finding permanent housing.

Once you have finished the episode you can take the short post-test to receive 1 hour of CE credit. And another bonus is that this is offered to you at no cost aside from your time and attention.

You can link directly to the course, register and listen here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/courses-and-events/72832/podcast-ce-series-homelessness-in-forsyth-county 

Alternatively, you can listen to Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina wherever you get your podcast content (Spotify, Google, Apple, Soundcloud, etc.). Simply search for "Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina" and look for Episode 87 featuring William McDonald, Director of the Bethesda Center for the Homeless in Winston-Salem, NC. 

Once you have listened you can register for the course, take the post-test and claim your 1 hour CE credit.

I hope you find our episodes timely and relevant to your practice. And finally, if you have a topic or know of a person that you think would be great to have on the podcast, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know. I am always looking for interesting topics and presenters to have on the podcast.

North Carolina regulations around gambling will become more permissive in March 2024, making problematic gambling a greater public health concern.

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? 

Mental illnesses can affect a person's thinking, mood, or behavior. There are early warning signs and symptoms that can help determine if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health condition.

Stress can really disrupt our lives and steal our joy.

There are both healthy and unhealthy ways to cope with stress.

Climate change has a serious impact on mental health, particularly for children, according to a recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

While children's mental health has become a very pressing issue in a post-pandemic world, the significant shortage of pediatric behavioral health providers in North Carolina makes this challenge greater.

Join us virtually on July 27-28 for the NCPAT Conference. This two-day training will offer concepts, skills, and perspectives on how to enhance your group work with this population.

Transgender people face many significant mental health challenges, and one of the most critical is the high risk of suicide among transgender youth.