Category: Health

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Health, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  The Office of Rural Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled a new strategic plan last week aimed at combating health issues in rural areas across the country. The new plan, which was developed alongside local partners like the N.C. Office of Rural Health, outlines a vision for the next five years to combat health issues like obesity, …Read more Continue reading CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

Rachel Baldauf
Health, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural North Carolina hospitals say recruiting surgeons is key to long-term success

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Rural hospitals across the country often struggle to recruit doctors. Recruiting surgeons is even tougher.  In southeastern North Carolina, the hospitals in Scotland and Robeson counties are investing in surgical programs that health care experts say are vital to the survival of rural hospitals.  Scotland Health in Laurinburg built new operating rooms and renovated the hospital’s surgical services department as part …Read more Continue reading Rural North Carolina hospitals say recruiting surgeons is key to long-term success

Rachel Baldauf
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Bladen County, Columbus County, Health, Robeson County, Scotland County

HIV and syphilis are on the rise in Robeson County

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  When Brenda Hunt helped start the Borderbelt AIDS Resources Team in 1996, the small nonprofit was the only place in Robeson County for people living with HIV or AIDS to get support and connect to resources. Hunt, who now serves as the BART director, would drive clients to Laurinburg or Chapel Hill to receive a cocktail of medications. She would deliver …Read more Continue reading HIV and syphilis are on the rise in Robeson County

Rachel Baldauf
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Health, Scotland County

Fighting back against prostate cancer in Scotland County

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Greg McMillan’s barber shop in the northeast corner of Scotland County is more than a place to get a fresh lineup and a clean shave. It’s a community space where people share everything from tall tales to heart-to-hearts. McMillan’s shop in Wagram, Next Cuts, hosted Cuts and Conversations on Saturday in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina. The …Read more Continue reading Fighting back against prostate cancer in Scotland County

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
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Bladen County, Columbus County, Health, Robeson County, Scotland County

UNC Health Southeastern improves safety grade. What about other local hospitals?

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton improved its safety grade to a B in the latest report from a nonprofit group that advocates for patient safety at medical centers across the country. “This grade marks tremendous improvements the health system continues to make, not only in safety and quality, but also in the overall availability of expert medical care not available elsewhere …Read more Continue reading UNC Health Southeastern improves safety grade. What about other local hospitals?

Rachel Baldauf
White medicine pill tablets on a soft blue background.
Health, News, Robeson County

Robeson County is doling out opioid settlement money. But the process isn’t always easy

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  When Tamiko Murphy first heard that Robeson County would get millions of dollars from opioid settlement cases, she was excited about what it could mean for her nonprofit, Tae’s Pathway, which serves children who use drugs. Since she founded the organization, which she named for her son who died in a car accident 2013, Murphy says she has paid most expenses …Read more Continue reading Robeson County is doling out opioid settlement money. But the process isn’t always easy

Rachel Baldauf
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Health

What the Trillium merger means for Medicaid recipients in NC’s Border Belt

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Mental health services for people enrolled in Medicaid in much of southeastern North Carolina will soon be consolidated following a merger approved by the state.  Trillium Health Resources will manage mental health care, substance misuse treatment and disability services for many low-income residents in 46 counties — including Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland — when it merges with Eastpointe and Sandhills …Read more Continue reading What the Trillium merger means for Medicaid recipients in NC’s Border Belt

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
Larrell Murchison, Los Angeles Rams, testicular cancer awareness, East Bladen High School, Elizabethtown, NC, NFL Sticky post
Bladen County, Health, Profile

Border Belt People Q&A: Murchison’s cleats honor twin brother’s bout with cancer

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org  Larrell Murchison, 26, was born and raised in Elizabethtown playing football from a very young age alongside his twin brother, Farrell. Today, Larrell plays defensive end for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. On Dec. 3, Murchison wore customized cleats for the Rams’ matchup against the Cleveland Browns to raise awareness and represent the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. The Border Belt Independent …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People Q&A: Murchison’s cleats honor twin brother’s bout with cancer

Kerria Weaver
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Health

Medicaid expansion starts Dec. 1 in NC. Here’s how Border Belt counties are preparing

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Medicaid expansion will begin in North Carolina on Dec. 1, opening the door for hundreds of thousands of people who were previously ineligible to enroll. The Scotland Health Care System in Laurinburg wants to be prepared. The hospital now has three on-site employees dedicated to helping people through the sign-up process, and staff members are compiling a list of patients who …Read more Continue reading Medicaid expansion starts Dec. 1 in NC. Here’s how Border Belt counties are preparing

Border Belt Independent