North Carolina

North Carolina ranks 33rd in new national scorecard on women’s health, reproductive care • NC Newsline

Published

4 months ago

July 18, 2024

North Carolina ranks 33rd in new national scorecard on women’s health, reproductive care • NC Newsline

A new state-by-state scorecard of women’s health released this week by the Commonwealth Fund raises concerns over the care women receive and the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Photo: Commonwealth Fund video feed

The “2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care” is based on 32 measures of state health systems and examines how state policy actions are changing the way women can access and use health care.

“Based on the evidence and data, one thing is absolutely clear, women’s health is in a very fragile state,” said Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of the Commonwealth Fund, during a briefing with reporters on Wednesday. “There are stark disparities in women’s access to quality health care among states across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines. Those inequities are longstanding, no doubt, but recent policy choices and judicial decisions restricting access to reproductive care have and may continue to exacerbate them.”

Rates of maternal deaths were highest in the Mississippi Delta region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. North Carolina’s rates for maternal deaths while pregnant and for infant mortality were both above the national average.

Eighteen percent of North Carolina women aged 18-64 reported being in fair or poor health based on the data from 2022.

More than 1 in 5 women in our state (21%) reported having 14 of more poor mental health days in the past month.

Map of the US — Source: The Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care

North Carolina performed best on women who were up to date on colon cancer screenings.

Such screenings are critically important as deaths from breast and cervical cancer are considered preventable and treatable for women who receive timely screening and follow-up health care.

Researchers found that Black women experienced higher breast cancer mortality than white women due to a variety of factors, including poorer quality of care after an abnormal test, or a diagnosis made at a more advanced stage.

The scorecard also found deaths among women of reproductive age are highest in southeastern states. Causes of death included pregnancy related complications and other preventable causes such as substance use, COVID-19, and treatable chronic conditions.

A color-coded map of the U.S. — Source: The Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care

The uninsured rates among women in the U.S. ranged from 2.5% to over 20% with the highest uninsured rates in states that have not expanded their Medicaid programs.

North Carolina expanded its Medicaid coverage on December 1, 2023. Just last week the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced the enrollment of more than 500,000 North Carolinians in the seven months since the program was launched.

“Each of those 500,000 who now have the peace of mind to be able to face some of the greatest challenges that they ever thought they could face and know that they are not alone,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley in marking the milestone.

But while North Carolina has made progress in expanding health care access, 10 states have yet to expand eligibility for Medicaid. That leaves nearly 800,000 women uninsured.

A maternity care desert made worse by Dobbs ruling

The Commonwealth Fund experts said access to care isn’t just about having coverage, it’s also about being able to get to a service provider when care is needed.

“It’s estimated that over five million women (nationwide) already live in a county that’s considered a maternity care desert, meaning there’s no hospital or birth center offering obstetric care and there are no obstetric providers,” explained David Radley, Ph.D., a senior scientist for the Commonwealth Fund.

Twenty percent of women in North Carolina age 18-44 said they did not have a person who was their personal or primary health care provider.

Abortion bans are also having an impact on the care that women receive, said Sara Collins, the Commonwealth Fund’s vice president for health care coverage and tracking health system performance.

“A clear pattern in the study is states that have had abortion restrictions prior to Dobbs rank lower and a lot of our measures, including having adequate numbers of maternal health care providers,” Collins shared. “We’re seeing post-Dobbs the effect that decision is having on states delivery systems. We’re seeing lower residency applications in states with abortion bans from new medical students.”

So, is there going to be a growing divide across the states between those that have left abortion legal and those that have enacted the tightest restrictions?

“I think that time will tell,” Collins said.

North Carolina’s legislature enacted a 12-week abortion ban in 2023 and could move toward a six-week ban in 2025.

What researchers do know now is that states in which a large share of residents are living in rural areas, there tend to be the fewest obstetric providers.

Fewer providers means that patients face barriers in receiving the full continuum of prenatal and postnatal care.

Elections will shape future health access

How women’s health fares in the future could very well depend on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) not only expanded Medicaid and provided subsidies the help lower-income families, but it also banned insurers in the individual market from charging young women higher premiums than young men. The ACA also required insurers to cover maternity care –something that was not guaranteed prior to the law.

After more than 60 failed Republican-led votes to repeal Obamacare, experts believe a scenario could emerge if the GOP takes control of Congress and the White House in 2025 that would involve passage of legislation requiring slimmed down plans and fewer guaranteed benefits. It remains unclear if insurers would be allowed to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

“While some states undoubtedly are championing women’s continued access to vital health and reproductive services, many others are failing to ensure that women can get and afford the health care they need. The failure is having a disproportionate impact on women of color and women with low incomes,” said Betancourt.

Click here to read the 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care for North Carolina.

a graph shows the ranking of all U.S. states for women's' health outcomes — Source: Commonwealth Fund “2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care”

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North Carolina

Effingham local plans fundraiser for Helene victims in North Carolina

Published

7 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Press Room

Effingham local plans fundraiser for Helene victims in North Carolina

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – It’s been just over a month since states across the southeast were hit by hurricane Helene, including Georgia. One of the hardest hits states, however, was North Carolina.

A woman from Effingham has been doing her best to help those in need by gathering supplies and taking them to storm torn areas.

WTOC spoke with the Georgia local to learn more about the work she’s been doing.

Our team originally spoke with Angela Miller before she made her first trip up to North Carolina after the hurricane. Since then, her and her family have made two trips to cities like Swanannoa. Their third trip is already planned for next weekend.

Miller immediately began collecting donations for storm victims, and she took a huge load to North Carolina the first weekend after Helene passed through.

Miller says during both trips she‘s made so far, the communities’ perseverance was inspiring.

“You know, you just don’t understand how these people just can smile and give you a hug and then turn around and walk into their house and there’s no electricity. They have no food. You know, they can’t get out of their house because they can’t go further if they don’t have somebody to help them,” said Miller. “The pictures just don’t do it justice. I mean it just like you know, oh well that’s kind of what happened. No, it’s split houses in half.”

The group of volunteers that Miller was with passed out over 500 meals to those still in the area.

To help gather more supplies for storm victims, they’re throwing a fundraiser at a local restaurant in Savannah.

A friend of Miller’s who works at Midtown Bar and Grill on Habersham reached out wanting to help the people in North Carolina.

The restaurant will be open and accepting donations today beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Miller has lists of what items people can bring on Facebook, including gift cards to Lowes or Home Depot for material supplies to help rebuild in areas that were completely destroyed.

Miller says the outpouring of support from her own Georgia community has been a blessing.

“You know we had our own devastation in Georgia, and I have been very, very blessed and very just overwhelmed with the amount of help that people, I mean, I have had donation, donation…The community is good,” said Miller.

All the donations collected during the fundraiser will be loaded up and taken with Miller on her next trip to Swanannoa.

Amy Moore, who owns Simply Southern in Springfield, will also be making the trip with Miller to pass out meals to those in need.

If you’re not able to make it out to Midtown Bar and Grill but would still like to make a donation, Miller says you can reach out to her anytime.

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North Carolina

East Carteret HS donating football ticket sales to Western North Carolina

Published

18 hours ago

November 1, 2024

Press Room

East Carteret HS donating football ticket sales to Western North Carolina

CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – As flag twirlers rehearse for Friday’s senior night football match against Southside High School, East Carteret High School is also preparing for a great cause.

100% of Friday night’s ticket sales will be donated to support Buncombe County Schools, which were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.

East Carteret High School Cheer Captain and Student Body President Savannah Tyndall expressed her gratitude for the support they received during previous hurricanes and the tragic plane crash in 2022.

Now it’s their turn to give back, she says.

“We can’t pay back these families or these kids education that they lost…but we can give them the funding to try to rebuild and help in whatever ways they need,” says Tyndall.

East Carteret High School Principal Jay Westbrook says everyone was excited when they decided to donate the funds to Buncombe County.

He says he knew what to do when he called Buncombe County’s school superintendent.

“So I reached out to Dr. Jackson and it was a Saturday morning and I could tell there was a tremendous need of help because I know him very well,” says Westbrook.

Dr. Rob Jackson is no stranger to East Carteret High because he used to be the Carteret County School superintendent before moving back home to Buncombe County and becoming the superintendent there.

Westbrook says he wanted to help out as much as he could for a friend who helped him during previous tragic events.

Dr. Jackson says he is more than grateful to see the outpour of support for an area hit hard.

“Donations through our education foundation allows us to meet the needs of our students and their families and our staff members that have lost a home, a car, or where floods occurred and where many literally lost everything,” says Dr. Jackson.

Westbrook says East Carteret High School is mainly collecting monetary funds so they can be distributed to where it’s needed the most.

Tickets for the game are $8.00 each. Donations will also be accepted at the entry gate.

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North Carolina

Several North Carolina state parks reopening after Helene

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Press Room

Several North Carolina state parks reopening after Helene

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AXIOS) – Multiple state parks across western North Carolina were reopening, at least partially, on Nov. 1.

State parks west of I-77 have been closed for weeks due to Hurricane Helene.

Why it matters: State parks are a major draw to western North Carolina. They provide miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore, especially during the fall as people travel to witness leaves change color.

State of play: Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, plus Rendezvous Mountain will reopen on Nov. 1, the Division of Parks and Recreation announced Wednesday.

What to expect: Keep in mind, some state parks may only be partially open and others remain closed due to hazardous trees and branches, unsteady bridges and washed-out trails. Here’s what to expect at parks reopening Friday:

Crowders Mountain State Park

Trails and day-use from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. will reopen. Camping, however, remains closed through November.

Look for the Charlotte skyline on a clear day.

Distance: 45 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 18 minutes from Raleigh

Crowders Mountain(Ashley Mahoney/Axios)

Charlotte skyline view from Crowders Mountain.(Ashley Mahoney/Axios)

Gorges State Park

Grassy Ridge access at 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire, North Carolina will reopen, including the visitor center, trails to Rainbow and Upper Bearwallow Falls, plus RV, trailer, tent camping and cabins.

The backcountry area, including Frozen Creek access, Auger Hole and Canebrake trails, plus backcountry campsites, will remain closed.

Distance: 3 hours from Charlotte; 5 hours from Raleigh

Grandfather Mountain State Park

Most trails and campsites here will reopen. Profile trail, Profile Connector trail and Profile campsite, however, will remain closed

Distance: 2 hours 15 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 40 minutes from Raleigh

Lake Norman State Park

Day-use, tent, trailer, RV and campsites will reopen.

Cabins are closed to new reservations, but existing reservations will be honored.
Some mountain bike trail sections may be closed.
Distance: 50 minutes from Charlotte; 2.5 hours from Raleigh

Rendezvous Mountain

All areas of Rendezvous Mountain (1956 Rendezvous Mountain Road, Purlear, North Carolina) will reopen.

Distance: 1 hour 50 minutes from Charlotte; 2 hours 48 minutes from Raleigh

Parks that remain closed:

Zoom in: Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell and South Mountains are expected to be closed longer than others. Campsite reservations at state parks that are closed or expect to be closed at the time of the reservation have been refunded, per the Division of Parks and Recreation.

What’s next: Some parks may partially reopen in November, according to State Parks Director Brian Strong.

What they’re saying: “We know our visitors have been missing our closed parks, and we hope these reopenings will help our neighbors, local towns, and communities,” Strong said in a statement.

This story from Axios Charlotte was published as part of a partnership.

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