Brunswick County has made steady progress in improving the health status of its residents, according to the newest County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report that was issued this week. The 2019 report, which consists of data for 2018, ranks Brunswick 34th among North Carolina’s 100 counties for health outcomes and 25th for health factors. Both those rankings are ...

This story has been updated with additional information about the departments' merger. With unanimous approval from the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners at its meeting Monday, county officials will move ahead with plans to consolidate the public health and social services departments into one human services agency. At the commissioners' February meet ...

Value-based care is a concept embraced in different ways by health care providers in the Wilmington region. And the transition from standard health care models has its own unique complexities, said officials keeping tabs on a major value-based initiative from the state’s largest insurer.   Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in January announced a pro ...

The Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County plans to focus on health and wellness efforts for its grants program this year.   The 130-member collective philanthropy organization intends to make “two large grants of at least $20,000 each and up to three small grants totaling no more than $10,000,” according to a news release.   The group ...

Wilmington-based Pharmaceutical Product Development has signed an agreement with Happy Life Tech to further clinical trials and drug development in China, according to a news release. The collaboration pairs Happy Life Tech's (HLT) ability to generate artificial intelligence and data technology with PPD's clinical trial management and evidence generation, o ...

Novant Health Surgical Associates at 1456 Howe St. in Southport has relocated to the Dosher Memorial Hospital campus at 819 N. Atlantic Ave. in Southport.   Novant Health and Dosher Memorial Hospital previously announced that they were forming a partnership so general surgeons from Novant Health could perform surgeries at both Dosher Memorial and Novant Health Bruns ...

Housing and health are inextricably linked, experts said during a recent session in Wilmington on the area’s increasing need for affordable housing. Efforts to push affordable housing into the public policy spotlight are on the rise in the city this year, with the region’s largest employer and health care provider weighing in on the topic during a recent ses ...

The Harrelson Center and New Hanover Regional Medical Center have partnered to combine services at the Help Hub, a pilot program started by the Harrelson Center that provides short-term, emergency financial counsel and assistance to individuals in need.   The Harrelson Center is a nonprofit that supports and partners with other nonprofits on topics such as affordabl ...

Wilmington Health has extended its hours at its Leland Walk-In Care location. The clinic at 9101 Ocean Highway E. will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for north Brunswick County patients with nonemergency conditions. Patients of all ages can be treated at the center for allergies, infections, cuts, bruises, cold, flu, sprains and pains. “Leland continues to gr ...

The Brunswick Wellness Coalition recently launched its Give Healthy campaign to emphasize donations of healthier food to those who are food insecure. “Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Children and adults suffering from food insecurity report poor physical and mental health, and have a much higher ...