Health & Wellness

No More Excuses

With rising obesity rates throughout the U.S. and as citizens of Charlotte grow more aware of the importance of healthy living, organizations throughout Charlotte have placed a growing emphasis on health, nutrition and wellness. Many employers have even begun using the LiveWELL Carolinas! Corporate Health program, a partnership of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and Carolinas Medical Center, to offer their employees extra resources and incentives to live healthy lifestyles.

Local government got involved in the health and fitness trend several years ago by mandating sidewalks in new neighborhoods, expanding Parks and Recreation facilities, enhancing healthy choices in the public school system’s nutrition program, and creating a program called the Fit City Challenge. The Fit City Challenge offers encouragement, support and a wide variety of resources to help people exercise more, eat more fruits and vegetables, set goals and track their progress through its interactive Web site, www.fitcitychallenge.org.

Charlotte is home to many fantastic farmers markets offering produce and homemade goods from local growers and merchants in the months of growing season. Many of the city's top restaurants even use these markets to prepare their menus. Charlotte is also offering healthy eating options at groceries, as well as stores such as Earth Fare, Trader Joes and Whole Foods, which offer natural and organic foods at moderate prices.

Adequate exercise, nutrition, health screening and stress management can prevent a wide array of diseases. If you’re not already living a health lifestyle, there’s no better time than the present to start. And Charlotte is a perfect place to do it!

Finding  Physician

Before someone in your family needs immediate care, finding a physician should be a top priority. In a new city finding the right doctor can be challenging but looking at listings offered by your health insurer is the first step. In addition, asking neighbors, friends or co-workers if they can recommend any of the physicians, dentists, or other specialists on your list will be beneficial in choosing what is right for you.

If you still need help, several local services are available to help you find a physician who is currently accepting patients:

• Carolinas HealthCare System Physician Referral/Telehealth Services - 704.355.7500 
• Mecklenburg County Medical Society Physician/Dental Referral Service - 704.376.0847
• Presbyterian Healthcare - 704.384.CARE (2273)
• If you’re interested in a "concierge medical practice" for those who want extra special attention from their physicians, contact Signature Healthcare at 704.554.8787 or visit it online at www.signaturehealthcare.org.

Major Medical

Major illnesses and injuries sometimes happen. Two major healthcare systems are located in the county along with a wide range of specialists and nationally renowned teaching and research institutions. While the spectrum of medical services available to area residents has grown, the cost of health care remains below the national average.

Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) is the largest health care system in the Carolinas and one of the largest public systems in the nation. Its services cover the scope of health care, from primary care to trauma to long-term skilled nursing. Located near uptown Charlotte, Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) is the system’s flagship hospital. It is one of only five facilities in North Carolina designated as an Academic Medical Center and Teaching Hospital and a Level I Trauma Center. Located on the CMC campus, the Levine Children’s Hospital opened in late 2007. It offers 30 specialized pediatric services and state-of-the-art facilities that address the needs of patients and their families. Also within the CMC family are CMC-Mercy, CMC-Pineville and CMC-University – acute care hospitals strategically located throughout the county to bring CMC’s expertise to the suburbs – and Behavioral Health Center CMC-Randolf, a psychiatric medical center and emergency room. The system also operates several hospitals in surrounding counties, including CMC-Lincoln, CMC-Northeast and CMC-Union. Visit CHS online at www.carolinashealthcare.org.

Presbyterian Healthcare is one of the founding members of Novant Health Inc. and represents its Southern Piedmont region with four hospitals, a network of primary care physician practices, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care centers, rehabilitation and community health outreach programs. Its flagship, Presbyterian Hospital, is one of the largest private community hospitals in the region. Established in 1903, it is also Charlotte’s oldest extant hospital. It offers an array of diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic services and several specialized treatment centers, including a women’s center, a children’s hospital and emergency department, a cardiovascular institute, a cancer center and a behavioral health center. Other hospitals in the system include the Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville and Presbyterian Hospital Matthews. The Orthopaedic Hospital is one of the few in the country dedicated solely to orthopaedic injuries and diseases and, as such, is nationally recognized for joint operations such as knee and hip replacements. Visit Presbyterian online at www.presbyterian.org.