Keeping their blood sugar levels in a normal range is one of the most important things someone with diabetes can do for their health. But with COVID-19 disrupting routines and health care visits and leading to higher levels of stress, that’s been hard to do. NHRMC’s primary care offices have seen a sharp increase in patients’ blood sugar levels over the past year.
A1C levels show a patient’s average blood sugar levels over the past three months. It’s the most important number for people with diabetes to know, said Charin Hanlon, MD, because it’s directly tied to the long-term complications that can harm those living with diabetes. Higher A1C levels are directly linked to diabetes complications, such as kidney, heart, and eye disease.
The talk will be held Friday, April 16 at noon at facebook.com/ywcalcf.
Each month YWCA’s Talk On Health will bring a panel of experts together to discuss health disparities. The goal of this series is to provide mental and physical health evidence-based education to the community.
The virtual series will enable YWCA to educate, advocate, and empower others, specifically communities of color, to take charge of their health and work with the systems to close the gap regarding health disparities.
This week’s panel includes Lolita B. Bryant, DNP MSN-NE, RN.; Imelda N. Odibo, MD FACOG; and Lee Ann Garner, MD, FACOG.
All residents 16 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccinations in North Carolina.
N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper announced in late March the state would accelerate its vaccination plan, allowing the general public to schedule vaccination appointments starting April 7. The move put North Carolina well ahead of President Joe Biden’s goal to have vaccines available to the general public by May 1.
This comes as New Hanover County sees a significant drop in coronavirus cases, particularly in older populations. New Hanover Health and Human Services Director Donna Fayko said the county saw no new COVID-19 related deaths reported in the last week after coronavirus cases remained high throughout the winter.
Editor’s Note: This article is made possible through a sponsored content partnership with New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
New Hanover Regional Medical Center has made it easier for area residents to access a specialized treatment that removes disease-causing components from the blood.
Before, people who would benefit from the treatment – plasmapheresis – would have to travel about two hours out of town, or worse, miss out, which could increase the risk of complications, said Kevin Briggs, NHRMC’s Administrator of Laboratory and Respiratory Care Services. NHRMC is now offering plasmapheresis through a partnership with the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross.