The Greene County Democrat

Tag: Health

  • Dollarhide Health Fair reminds us “Health is Wealth”

    Dollarhide Health Fair reminds us “Health is Wealth”

    Above, Wille Esther Austin and Dollarhide Community Health Fair Presenters

    by Maya Quinn, managing editor

    On Saturday, April 18th, Dollarhide Community Center was full of vendors and city representatives who gathered to address a myriad of concerns in the community for their Annual Health Fair. The event was hosted by Pine Grove CME Church, Macedonia CME Church, and the Dollarhide Volunteer Fire Department. The invited presenters focused on the well-being and safety of its citizens as well as the need for higher community engagement from constituents. 

    Dollarhide’s community is upheld by its citizens’ dedication to one another, as many initiatives are operated on a volunteer basis. From storm relief to community resources, the citizens of Dollarhide and neighboring cities such as Boligee and Forkland strive to meet the needs of their community through benevolent commitments to one another. By working with organizations such as Greene County Community in Action Coalition, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, and the Rural Alabama Prevention Center, citizens collaborate to create programs that address concerns ranging from underage drinking to high blood pressure management. This health fair is only one of many events hosted within Greene County to better the everyday lives of all those who reside within. 

    A group of diverse individuals, including adults and children, gathered on a stage in a community center. They are wearing matching yellow t-shirts with a church logo, posing for a photo with smiles.
    Pine Grove CME and Macedonia CME church members at the event

    The event’s program was led by Mrs. Willie Esther Austin, a member of Dollarhide’s Volunteer Fire Department and Pine Grove CME Church. Mrs. Austin welcomed guests and gave a quick summary regarding the purpose of the fair, to supply the community with health and safety resources. The program listed presenters from local governments, health organizations, and the Red Cross disaster relief. Prayers and scripture were intertwined with the program, reminding attendees that physical fitness and spiritual maturity are worth more than gold. “We do this every year,” Mrs. Austin told The Democrat. 

    After a prayer for good health, the fire department began the presentations with a demonstration on how to properly use an extinguisher and the importance of smoke detectors in the home. Fire Chief Keith Young reminded attendees that home fires often begin in the kitchen, so having a fire extinguisher nearby could prevent the loss of life or a home. Attendees were given the acronym PASS: Pull the pin, Aim the hose, Squeeze the trigger, Sweep the flames side to side. 

    Two men posing beside a mounted fire extinguisher in a room with beige walls.
    Dollarhide Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief

    The fire safety demonstration was followed by the EMS Board Director and CEO of Hills Hospital, Mrs. Loretta Wilson, giving a call to action for community members to support the ambulance services. Due to the financial and operational negligence of the previous administration, the EMS services of Greene County are threatened with closure. Wilson explained that there is only one operational emergency vehicle that serves the entire 647 square miles of the county. “We all own the emergency services,” she stated before asking for community members to offer assistance in reaching out to their commissioners and mayors. The EMS services are a nonprofit organization, meaning all proceeds and donations go directly to operating its services.

    Shawn Jackson, born and raised in Forkland, AL, gave a presentation on oncology, the branch of medicine that specializes in researching and treating cancer. Jackson graduated from UAB and has been working in radiation therapy for the last 25 years. “We used to equate cancer with death,” Jackson stated before explaining that medicine has advanced in such a way that early detection is a critical factor in treatment outcomes. “The most important thing is to get your screenings,” he explained. Jackson also encouraged attendees to support members of their communities with reminders for screenings and organizing carpools so appointments are not missed or delayed. “When you hear cancer, there is no need to be afraid…remember hope.”

    Special guest US Marshall and Officer Jeremy Rancher encouraged community elders to be watchful of vaping paraphernalia, as it is often masked by sweet scents that target teens and children, and underage drinking. Officer Rancher implored citizens to use him as a resource in their schools and gatherings. “Invite us out,” he began, “You never know whose life you’re gonna save.” Rancher states that his team can provide demonstrations on the dangers of drunk driving by letting teens wear impaired vision goggles while riding in ATVs. Greene County’s Sheriff Department and the Greene County Children’s Policy Council echoed the sentiment of using them as a resource as well. 

    Transitioning to health and wellness, Mr. Nathaniel Jones gave a testimony on the horrors of addiction. Jones explained that he was a first-generation college graduate and had a loving family, with children who excelled in school, but addiction “cares nothing about demographics” and is mind-altering. “I was in a prison mentally,” he began, “You do not want to mess with this…” Jones is now 7 years clean and talks to the youth in his community about the dangers of addiction to illegal and prescription drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Jones received roaring applause for his stories and reminded attendees to seek help from God and the church.

    An elderly woman with glasses standing alongside a man, both smiling and posing for a photo in a community center setting. The woman is using a cane and wears a light-colored blouse, while the man is dressed in a 'Proud Dad' t-shirt.
    Legendary Dollarhide Volunteer Fire Department member Ms. Quinnie and Mayor Jeff Quinnie (son)

    Dollarhide invites community members and friends to attend the community meeting every third Monday of the month at Dollarhide Community Center, located next to the fire department.

  • New report shows Medicaid expansion in Alabama can improve behavioral health care access

    In Alabama 85,000 uninsured people with a mental illness or substance use disorder had incomes that could qualify them for expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2014.
    Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report showing that Alabama can greatly improve access to behavioral health services for its residents by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Substance use disorders and mental illness are prevalent and serious public health problems in American communities.
    In Alabama, 85,000 uninsured people with a mental illness or substance use disorder had incomes that could qualify them for expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available.  The report also finds that people with behavioral health needs made up a substantial share of all low-income uninsured individuals: in Alabama, about 30.3 percent. While some of these individuals had access to some source of health insurance in 2014, many will only gain access to coverage if Alabama expands Medicaid, and others would gain access to more affordable coverage.
    “Today’s report shows that Medicaid expansion is an important step Alabama can take to address behavioral health needs, including serious mental illness and opioid and other substance use disorders,” said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell.
    Today’s report highlights that, along with its other benefits, Medicaid expansion would dramatically improve access to treatment for people with mental and substance use disorders, thereby improving health outcomes. Research shows that low-income adults with serious mental illness are significantly more likely to receive treatment if they have access to Medicaid coverage, with benefits for their health. The report estimates that if Alabama expanded Medicaid, 16,000 fewer individuals would experience symptoms of depression and 24,000 additional individuals would report being in good or excellent health.
    To date, 30 states plus DC have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. However, 20 states—including many of the states that would benefit most—have not yet seized this opportunity. Previous studies have found that if these states do not change course, over 4 million of their citizens will be deprived of health insurance coverage in 2016.
    States that choose to expand Medicaid may achieve significant improvement in their behavioral health programs without incurring new costs. State funds that currently directly support behavioral health care treatment for people who are uninsured but would gain coverage under expansion may become available for other behavioral health investments.  For example, several states that expanded Medicaid reported that they expected reductions in general funds needing to be allocated to the uninsured for treatment ranging from $7 million to $190 million in 2015. This creates opportunities to meet other pressing health, mental health and substance use disorder needs. States can also expect to have a more productive workforce, because expanding treatment will permit a reduction in adverse workforce outcomes stemming from mental and substance use disorders. Research shows that depressed employees incur significantly more disability days than do otherwise similar employees, and substance use disorder treatment was associated with $5,366 annually in employer savings from reduced absenteeism alone.
    Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, states have the opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage to individuals with family incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Health care costs for people made newly eligible through the Medicaid expansion are paid for with 100 percent federal funds in 2016, and 95 percent in 2017, scaling down to 90 percent in calendar years 2020 and beyond. President Obama recently proposed an extra incentive for states that have not yet expanded their Medicaid programs, which would provide any state that takes up Medicaid expansion the same three years of full Federal support and gradual phase down that those states that expanded in 2014 received.