North Carolina, like the rest of the United States, is facing a massive healthcare workforce shortage. With the state in need of nurses, caregivers, behavioral health specialists, physicians, and public health workers, a number of initiatives across the state are seeking to increase our healthcare workforce. 

While some collaborations are looking big picture…in WNC…other initiatives are exposing students to the healthcare field and are building pathways for those students to enter that workforce. One program led by the North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness (NCCHW), Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), and the Dogwood Health Trust, in partnership with a number of universities in that region, have connected students to the critical field of healthcare with the Student Health Ambassador (SHA) program.

Social drivers or social determinants of health are the nonmedical conditions and experiences that help contribute to a person's whole wellbeing. In this episode of the HPI podcast, we’ll be learning about the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, a program that uses Medicaid funds to address critical housing, food security, transportation, safety needs of qualifying individuals. Expected to be expanded in November of 2024, this pilot represents a new direction for healthcare funding in N.C. and may influence health policy nationwide.

Brad Allen, Executive Director of the NC Senior Games, reminds us of the importance of finding an exercise and balance program to stay strong and independent, such as swimming, walking, playing pickleball, doing tai chi and more! Find what works for you and watch some amazing Senior Games folks on the track, including a 99-year old winner!  Explore StandingStrongNC.org to find local exercise programs and other steps to prevent falls. #StandingStrongNC

The Standing Strong NC campaign raises awareness of the impact of falls in North Carolina and the simple steps that people can take to prevent falls and save lives! Watch our public service announcements and explore StandingStrongNC.org to find action steps that you can take! #StandingStrongNC

The Standing Strong NC campaign raises awareness of the impact of falls in North Carolina and the simple steps that people can take to prevent falls and save lives! Watch our public service announcements and explore StandingStrongNC.org to find action steps that you can take! #StandingStrongNC

Emma Olson, Associate Director of the NC Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW), presented a short film depicting the impact and experiences of community health workers (CHWs) across Western North Carolina as a Lightning Talk at The Imagining America 2023 National Gathering: Radical Reckoning – Invoking the Elements for Collective Change.