Dr. Amy Russell of MAHEC shares information on regional healthcare issues and the innovative strategies being implemented regionally by MAHEC to address the issues.

1. Amy Russell, MD

2. Regional Health Care
Issues
• Increasing age of population
• Increasing rates of chronic disease
o Obesity
o Diabetes
o Lung Disease
o Liver disease
• Access to a primary care provider

3. Disease Prevalence
57
52.2
20.2
39.4
24.3
12.6
31.4
32
40
9.6
34.3
10.1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
DM
High
Cholesterol
High BP
Percent
US
NC
WNC
65+

4. Place Matters
High quality schools
College / Community College Access
Opportunities for good jobs
Safe Streets, sidewalks & housing
Clean environment
Parks & Bike paths
Accessible, safe public transportation
Affordable, high quality early child support
Healthy food in neighborhoods/schools
Opportunities to participate in community life
Affordable, high quality health care

5. Physicians wish
they could
write
prescriptions
to help patients
with
social needs

6. MAHEC at a Glance
• 110,000 visits per year
• 9 practices
• 46% Medicaid
• High risk OB, Active Inpatient Family medicine service,
dental care to underserved and McDowell County
• 35% of FM is Medicare
Your Doctor
• OB, 2 Family medicine, dental residencies
• Fellowships- geriatrics, palliative care, sports medicine,
FM OB
• UNC School of Medicine Branch Campus
• UNC Pharmacy Branch Campus
• Rural Scholarship Program
• Undergrad Internship Program
• CME, CE Programs
Your Teacher
• Community Engagement
• Faculty advocacy
• ACO development
• Work force
Your Advocate

7. New Regional Strategies
• Engage in Accountable Care
o Improve Quality
o Increase value
o Improve patient experience
• Build capacity to improve access to care
• Support Regional practices to improve quality and
access
• Focus on the health care team
o Behavioral Health
o Pharmacy
• Support workforce development