Researchers from the University of Virginia conducted a statewide assessment of knowledge of Hepatitis C risk factors, and their findings have recently been published in the Journal of Community Health. Their findings show a critical knowledge gap in the general population, as only 38% of all respondents correctly identified HCV to be curable. Knowledge of risk factors in high-incidence regions was significantly lower than in low-incidence regions. The implications of this research are far-reaching in southwest Virginia, as many counties in the region have rates of HCV many times the state average. In 2018, the LENOWISCO health district had an acute HCV rate of 3.4 per 100,000, compared to the Virginia average of 0.8 per 100,000. The Cumberland Plateau health district fared even worse, with an acute HCV rate of 4.7 per 100,000. It is necessary to develop new public health interventions in order to address these gaps in high-incidence regions, such as the southwest region of the Commonwealth.
To view the abstract for the published paper, click HERE.
What: Managing Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management Conference
When: March 5th, 2019 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Methodist Medical Ridge Conference Room, 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-2529
About: This conference will review the mechanisms of acute and chronic pain and discuss the most effective treatments. In most cases of acute and chronic pain there are treatments that are more effective and have better outcomes than opioids. This class will also address the brain changes that occur with opioid use that can lead to aberrant behavior and addiction. It will educate providers on the most effective treatments of opioid use disorder.
For more information and to register, please click HERE.
Below are some great podcasts courtesy of MEDHOST from the largest rural advocacy event in the country, the NRHA Rural Health Policy Institute.
GMEC’s very own Wendy Welch discussed the crushing effects opioid addiction has on rural communities and advocates strongly that the solution to many problems may just reside in the community itself. Click HERE to listen.
Beth O’Connor, Executive Director of Virginia Rural Health Association, shared her plans to meet with lawmakers on the Hill, for the thirteenth year in a row. She offered her advice that one benefit of living in a rural community can be the ability to connect with partners, neighbors and other community leaders faster and more effectively than in larger, urban areas. Click HERE to listen.
To hear even more great podcasts from MEDHOST at the NRHA Rural Health Policy Institute, click HERE.
The 2019 Ballad Cardiovascular Summit is coming up soon!
About: The 13th Annual Cardiovascular Summit will provide an overview of current topics in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of cardiovascular disease. This conference will also address updates on federal health policy and pending legislation as well as analyze the new Tennessee STEMI legislation/law and how it affects patient care.
When: February 2, 2019
Where: Meadowview Conference Center – Kingsport, TN
For more information and to view the agenda, click HERE.
From the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine:
This document represents AACOM’s Public Policy Agenda for the 116th Congress. It reflects the association’s federal advocacy priorities to ensure that osteopathic medical education (OME) is an active force in the formulation of national health and higher education policies. AACOM will aggressively pursue these goals, notwithstanding the challenging political and fiscal environment, as osteopathic medical schools continue to grow in number, size, and importance to the U.S. health care and medical education systems.
Public Policy Agenda Objectives:
Graduate Medical Education
Physician Workforce
Medical Students and Federal Student Financial Aid
With Virginia’s Medicaid program poised to expand coverage for hundreds of thousands of people, the state is considering a proposal to increase reimbursement rates for doctors to encourage them to provide care to more patients under the program.
2018 Virginia Rural Collaborators Conference
Hosted by the Virginia Rural Health Association
November 14 & 15
Virginia Horse Center
Lexington, VA
For over twenty years, the Virginia Rural Health Association has served as “The Voice for Rural Health in Virginia.” Rural Health is DIFFERENT. Rural Americans face a unique combination of factors that create disparities in health care not found in urban areas. Economic factors, cultural and social differences, educational differences, lack of recognition by legislators and the isolation of living in remote rural areas all conspire to impede rural Americans in their struggle to lead a normal, healthy life.
The Virginia Rural Collaborators conference is an occasion to recognize that health in rural areas is not the sole responsibility of doctors and nurses. Education, economic development, transportation, the built environment, and even social opportunities play a role in the health of individuals and communities. All aspects of the community are providers or barriers to health.
For more information and to register, please click HERE.
GMEC’s very own Wendy Welch discussed the crushing effects opioid addiction has on rural communities and advocates strongly that the solution to many problems may just reside in the community itself. Click 
Beth O’Connor, Executive Director of Virginia Rural Health Association, shared her plans to meet with lawmakers on the Hill, for the thirteenth year in a row. She offered her advice that one benefit of living in a rural community can be the ability to connect with partners, neighbors and other community leaders faster and more effectively than in larger, urban areas. Click 