You’ve just gotten back from the pharmacy, happy to have finally gotten medicine for your headaches. You open the brown baggie and take out the pill bottle. Just before opening the bottle, you read the label: “Take two pills daily.” But wait. Does this mean one pill in the morning and one in the afternoon? Two pills in the morning? Two pills in the afternoon? You decide not to take any because you don’t want to hurt yourself by not following instructions. This is how navigating health care can feel for many. 

Food insecurity is a critical issue affecting the health and well-being of communities across the nation, and Arkansas is no exception. Lack of access to nutritious foods is known to cause adverse health outcomes, with implications that stretch far beyond hunger relief itself. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC) is making strides toward addressing food insecurity with innovative solutions and partnerships that pave the way for a healthier future.

Allison's first-grade son has been losing focus in school, fidgeting, and misplacing things. Despite an ADHD diagnosis and prescription medications, his symptoms are not improving. Allison's son may have a condition that falls under the umbrella of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASDs. FASDs represent a group of conditions that, despite their significant impact, often fly under the radar. Shaneca Smith, a dedicated RN with 17 years of experience in maternal and pediatric quality improvement and a fervent advocate for FASD awareness in Arkansas, recently appeared on AFMC TV to shed light on this critical issue and the efforts being made to combat it.

While common, headaches present a significant challenge in the medical community due to their complex nature and the considerable disability they cause many patients. Dr. Anthony Davis, a board-certified neurologist at UAMS specializing in dementia and headaches, recently appeared on AFMC TV to share his insights on the difficulties of treating headaches and the latest advancements in headache medication.

As we approach the respiratory vaccine season, conversations around the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine grow stronger. RSV, a virus causing cold-like symptoms, is particularly dangerous for infants, older adults, and those with underlying conditions. While most people recover in a week or two, RSV can become very serious for people with high risk. With the CDC’s new RSV recommendations, it’s crucial to stay informed. Heather Mercer, executive director of ImmunizeAR, provides patients and professionals in the healthcare community with the most accurate and up-to-date information on the RSV vaccine.

Mental health support groups combine empathy, understanding, and guidance to create a safe space for those dealing with the grief of losing someone to suicide. It takes a unique set of skills to facilitate these support groups and ensure every attendee has a chance to deal with their loss however they feel comfortable. The Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) offers two suicide bereavement support group trainings, one for facilitators of veteran support groups and one for facilitators of support groups for the public. The AFSP Facilitator Training Program offers organizers a way to create and facilitate a community support group for suicide loss survivors in the aftermath of suicide.