Written by: 

Taylor Stancill, ECU Public Health Intern

Nikki Hyatt, Vidant Cancer Care Outreach Coordinator

Do you know someone with breast cancer? If you do, chances are you are not alone. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the second ....read more

-PPH Steering Committee 

Pitt Partners for Health (PPH) is a community health improvement partnership with representatives from local churches, businesses, communities, and human service agencies. The Partnership collaboratively responds to the compelling health needs of Pitt County residents through assessment, resource identification and development, ....read more

Stefanie Cabaniss, MA, MPH Consultant, Community Health Programs at Vidant Medical Center

Yes! Hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are some of the chronic diseases on the list. What about the less discussed chronic constipation or acid reflux? Still yes!
Let that sink in for a second – you can reverse chronic disease. This is ....read more

We all know that summertime brings about opportunities to participate in many physical activities and sports because the weather is much nicer and daylight hours are extended for several months.  Summer is a great time to spend outdoors, to be with family, and to reduce stress and get fit.  Although exercising in the summer is most often connected ....read more

With summer solstice just around the corner, the beloved season is almost officially here. The sun is ablaze, kids are out of school, and our favorite seasonal produce is abundant. Things have been uncertain as of late, but one thing is for sure, our local farmers markets are filled with the same summer produce you count on year after year. Some ....read more

Pitt Partners for Health is focusing on mental health during May, as it is Mental Health Awareness Month. We find it necessary to address COVID-19 in our series of columns.

The COVID-19 outbreak is here in Eastern NC. It is taking a toll on adults and children, both physically and mentally. Our everyday tasks often are much more difficult due to the ....read more

Pitt Partners for Health continues its weekly columns to observe May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This week, we will focus on depression and suicide.

Here are some chilling facts:

• 7 million people or 7.2% of the population experience major depression
• Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States for persons ages 10 to 34.
• 2 million people experience a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder

Depression

Depression is a common mental health disorder seen in children, adolescents, and adults. Symptoms can include:

• Sadness, feeling empty, and feeling anxious
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling helpless
• Feeling worthless
• Feeling guilty
• Irritability, feeling cranky or moody
• Excessive worrying
• Change in appetite – you may gain weight or lose weight
• Change in sleep – trouble falling asleep, waking in middle of the night or sleeping too much
• Trouble concentrating and making decisions
• Decrease or increase in normal pleasurable activities
• Decreased energy
• Isolation
• Poor work or school performance
• Thoughts of suicide
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach, digestive issues, and others

Depression is not just feeling blue for a couple ....read more

Each year the month of May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. During the next four weeks, Pitt Partners for Health will provide information that will help Pitt County citizens better understand mental wellness and illness.

Let’s start with mental wellness. A key aspect of mental wellness is resilience. That’s not a term we often hear, ....read more

The COVID 19 Epidemic has resulted in many of us spending more time at home and indoors. It has also given us more time to appreciate the Earth and all that the natural environment has to offer us when we take care of it. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 where millions of Americans took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds ....read more

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!

Colorectal cancer starts when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control.

Most colorectal cancers start as polyps, which are growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. This change from polyps into cancer usually occurs over many years, and not all polyps become cancer.

Risk Factors for ....read more