As winter approaches, you may be concerned about improving vaccination rates in your patients—particularly more vulnerable populations, such as those with preexisting health conditions. There are several barriers to vaccination for rural or disadvantaged communities, and unfortunately provider distrust and social media also continue to be major contributors to vaccine hesitancy. Still, it’s vitally important for these vulnerable populations to stay up to date on their immunizations, especially now that we are in the throes of flu and COVID season. 

It's fall in Arkansas, and it's finally starting to feel like it, too! After growing all summer, our local pumpkins are ready for harvest. Pumpkins aren't just for pumpkin pie and jack-o'-lanterns, though. Pumpkin is also loaded with nutrients and fiber, and it's a great way to incorporate some new seasonal flavors into your routine. 

Pregnancy care does not end after childbirth, and many providers are renaming the weeks after delivery "the fourth trimester" to emphasize that mothers need as much care after pregnancy as they do during. The weeks after delivery are an important time for a mother's physical and emotional recovery and can bring health concerns that require medical attention.

For new moms in Arkansas, knowing the warning signs of complications in the postpartum period and where to turn for help can be especially important.

What if you could have more say in who provides your care, when you receive it, and how that care fits into your daily life?

For Arkansans over the age of 18 living with a disability, chronic health condition, or long-term care need, those decisions can make a meaningful difference. Having a caregiver you know and trust—or simply having more flexibility around your schedule—can help care feel more personal and better aligned with your needs.

For some Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries, self-directed care may provide that flexibility.

Adversity is a part of life. Difficult experiences can affect our health and well-being, especially when they happen during childhood. But those experiences do not have to define a person’s future.

Getting kids to eat their fruits and vegetables can sometimes feel easier said than done. Between busy schedules, picky eating, the convenience of processed foods, and the cost and availability of fresh foods, families can face plenty of obstacles to putting more produce on the plate.

And many children aren't getting enough. Dieticians identify modern youth nutrition as “overfed and undernourished.”