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DUKE + LCHC MICRO CLINICS
Duke Family Medicine & Community Health and the Lincoln Community Health Center have formed a partnership to create three community “micro” clinics that serve as primary care locations for low-income residents. Each offers a full range of services including employment exams, sports physicals, preventive testing, counseling, well-child exams, lab testing, routine immunization, urgent care, and referrals to specialists:
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Holton Wellness Center (401 N Driver St, 919-530-8210)
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Lyon Park Clinic (1313 Halley St, 919-536-4205)
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Walltown Neighborhood Clinic (815 Broad St, 919-416-1254).
DURHAM COUNTY-WIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT SURVEY
The Durham County Department of Public Health is asking county residents to take this anonymous survey to help the county figure out our health (physical, mental, and quality of life) needs, so they can be better met in the future. Partners Duke Health, El Centro Hispano, North Carolina Central University, and the Partnership for a Healthy Durham are aiding in collecting this information, but you can click here to take the survey.
THE LATEST ON COVID-19
Now that the COVID-19 numbers (infections, hospitalizations, deaths, etc) are going down substantially, we’ll be hearing less and less about the pandemic (unless the numbers start rising again). The official COVID emergency declaration ended in May 2023, which means that the White House has shut down its COVID response team. Some activists feel that those actions were premature. Vaccinations will still be available at the Durham County Department of Public Health free of charge.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stopped publishing its COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review, but you can still view the main tracker, which will run indefinitely. Click here for the national numbers, and click here to see what’s happening here in Durham County.
The updated Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines are available for children ages six months through four years at the Durham County Department of Public Health (414 E Main St). The clinic is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am to 4:30pm (and closed for lunch from noon to 1pm). Walk-ins are welcome.
Click here to find vaccines for not only COVID-19, but also influenza (flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
NC Medicaid covers most health services, including primary care, hospital services, maternity and postpartum care, vision and hearing services, prescription drug benefits, behavioral health services, preventive and wellness services, dental and oral health services, and medical-related devices and other therapies.
Here’s how to apply for Medicaid on your own:
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Online via ePASS; click here.
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Download the application, print it out, and mail it in or drop it off; click here.
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Visit the Durham County Department of Social Services (DSS) at 414 E Main St; click here for more info.
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Make a phone call to DSS; click here for more info.
Click here to visit the Medicaid website for an overview and more info.
NAMI DURHAM CLASSES AND MEETINGS
The NAMI* Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for those age 18+ who are living with a mental illness. Group members will be able to share successes with each other and discuss challenges with the help of NAMI-trained facilitators. This month’s meetings will be held on Tuesdays, December 9 and 23, 7:30–9pm; click here to register in advance for this Zoom meeting.
* National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI Durham hosts an online Stress & Anxiety Support Group for African-Americans every Thursday from 7 to 8:30pm. Black people often push down their fears and problems because they’ve been told that seeking help is a sign of weakness. The weekly confidential discussions encourage African-Americans to reach out and to realize that “You are not alone.” Share experiences without judgment, exchange tips, and gain access to helpful resources. Click here for more info; if you’d like to attend a meeting (on Zoom), click on “Calendar” and then click on the particular Thursday to register for that day’s meeting.
Health and research studies
Here are some health studies being run by local universities and
researchers:
DUKE’s BEACON STUDY
919-660-6820, BEACON@duke.edu, website https://bit.ly/4hflgw8
Duke’s BEACON (Bridging Equity and Access in Care and Outcomes for DemeNtia) Study asks what is most important to caregivers when seeking medical care. Researchers are trying to figure out how to improve care for people living with dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia). If you’re a caregiver and would like to help by answering a few questions, click here to fill out the contact information form. If you’re chosen for the study, you’ll have a 1-hour conversation with a staff member and will then receive a $50 gift card for your participation.
DUKE HEALTH’s COGNITIVE HEALTH IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE STUDY
984-369-3424, DAR-T_TEAM@duke.edu
Researchers at Duke Health are seeking ways to prevent problems with memory and thinking skills in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Participants must age 40+ and fluent in English or Spanish. You’ll be taking memory and cardiovascular tests at convenient times for you. Help with transportation is available, and you will be paid for your participation. Call for more info.
DUKE HEALTH’s MUSIC SLEEP STUDY
919-681-7041, PetrovskyResearch@duke.edu, website
The Duke University Medical Center School of Nursing is trying to develop ways to help people with memory problems who also have a tough time sleeping. Researchers have put together this research study with the goal of using music to promote healthy and restful sleep for older adults who are living with memory loss. You’re eligible to participate in this study if you’re caring for someone age 60+ with memory problems who live at home and have trouble sleeping. You and your loved-one will be trying out a new mobile music-listening app for a week. During that week you’ll answer a few questions over the phone, describing your experience with the app. At the week’s end, you’ll answer additional questions during a visit over Zoom. You and your loved-one will receive a $50 gift card. Click on the website above for more info, and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact lead researcher Darina Petrovsky.
DUKE HEALTH’s NONINVASIVE STUDY TO ASSESS RETINAL BLOOD VESSELS IN THE EYE
Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic, 932 Morreene Rd, 919-681-0281, iMIND@duke.edu
The research team is looking for volunteers with Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, mild cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, and related conditions to have pictures taken of the retinas. The study visit should take a half hour and no xrays or eyedrops will be involved. Candidates might be eligible if they don’t have significant head tremors, are not in a wheelchair, and have not had prior retina surgery. After the undilated photos are taken the participant will be compensated for their time and travel.
DUKE HEALTH’s PACT STUDY
919-668-3154, PACTStudy@duke.edu, website
Researchers at Duke Health are conducting a study to see if Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented with cognitive training. The PACT* Study is looking for people age 65+ who would like to volunteer to participate in the study and undergo computerized training exercises that are designed to reduce that risk.
To qualify, participants should be age 65 and older, with no neurological disorders or cognitive impairments and no history of stroke or brain injury. The potential benefits of taking the computerized training exercises can include enhanced mental quickness, improved gait and balance, and protection against depression. The length of the study will be approximately 3 years, with three study visits of up to 2 hours each. The 45 1-hour computer training sessions will be done in your own home.
* PACT = Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training
DUKE UNIVERSITY’s CLOVER STUDY
Lead researcher Dr Tomi Akinyemiju is looking for adult North Carolina residents to take part in the Climate Impact on Lung Cancer Risk Via Exposure to Radon (CLOVER) Study. Researchers are trying to understand the impact of climate change on radon and plan to prevent radon exposure after getting results from the study. (Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.) Participants must be willing to allow free radon testing (after receiving a free 7-day household radon test kit) and to take a short survey (in English or Spanish). Each will get a $10 VISA gift card for the survey and another one for the radon test. Call or write for more info and to sign up.
DUKE UNIVERSITY + UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA’s ADD-ME ROSTER
DukeUNC-ADDME@duke.edu, website
The Alzheimer’s Disease Discoveries in Medicine (ADD-ME) is for those who want to keep up with the latest information and research and who are willing to participate in upcoming clinical trials. The ADD-ME roster is a partnership between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Visit the website for more info and to sign up.
DUKE UNIVERSITY + UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA’s STRESS MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT STUDY
405-513-1271, Melissa.L.Harris@duke.edu
Researchers at Duke Health and the University of North Carolina‘s School of Medicine, in partnership with the National Institute on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, needs volunteers to test their stress-management toolkits. They’re looking for people with dementia and their care partners to use the toolkits in their homes for 2 weeks, which include weighted blankets, hot and cold therapy tools, music devices, robot pets, aromatherapy devices, games, puzzles, and art kits. You and your loved-one will provide saliva samples to measure your stress at the beginning and end of the 2-week study, and you’ll also join the focus-group discussions on Zoom. You’ll be compensated for your participation; call for more info.
ECU’s DEMENTIA CAREGIVER/PATIENT SURVEY
Dr Rashmita Basu, 252-744-2785, basur19@ecu.edu
Dr Rashmita Basu from Eastern Carolina University is looking for people with dementia and caregivers of individuals with dementia who can fill out surveys for research purposes. The caregivers will be asked questions describing the tasks they take on to help their loved-ones, and the people with dementia will be asked if they need help throughout the day. It should take around a half-hour to complete the survey, and each person with receive a $15 gift card for their participation.
NC STATE’s STRIVE STUDY
919-515-7639, strive_study@ncsu.edu, website
NC State’s Center for Human Health and the Environment STRIVE Study takes a look at where people live, work, and play can make them more or less healthy over time by collecting samples of participants’ blood, saliva, urine, plus samples of dust, water, soil from in and around their homes. This is a long-term study where the study will hopefully uncover why some communities, especially rural and minority groups, face higher liver-disease risk so the researchers can figure out what to do about it. They’re looking for North Carolineans and Georgians who are between 40 and 75 years old; some who are generally healthy and some with cirrhosis of the liver will be chosen for this study. Participants will be paid $50 for each study (every 1 to 2 years). Call or write for more info. The STRIVE Study is done in partnership with Duke Health, the University of North Carolina’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Emory University.
RTI INTERNATIONAL’s THE GODDESS STUDY
919-808-8818, fbrowne@rti.org, website
Dr Felicia Browne is leading The GODDESS Study, which will hopefully result in an HIV-prevention app that can be used by young black women living in Durham and Wake counties. Over the course of the project, Dr Browne wants to learn from the feedback and experiences of at least 500 women to design an app that can improve their sexual health and overall wellness. To be eligible, potential participants need to be 18- to-30-year-old black women who live or work in Durham or Wake county. Visit the website or text “Call Me” to the phone number listed above.
UNC–CHAPEL HILL’s BRAIN ON DESSERT STUDY
919-966-3113, Joseph_Palmiotto@med.unc.edu
Principal investigator Dr Janice Hwang is seeking volunteers between the ages of 30 and 55 who are normal weight and also some who are overweight who will agree to participate in a 3-month study to see how sugar affects the brain while desserts are being consumed. Participants will have physical exams, neurological testing, blood work, oral glucose tolerance test, IV glucose infusion, and MRI scans over three visits. Candidates can receive compensation up to $275, depending on their level of participation. Write for more info and to express interest in this study.
UNC–CHAPEL HILL’s BRAIN STIMULATION DEVICE TRIAL
100 Market St, Suite 1, Chapel Hill, GADStudy_CCN@med.unc.edu
UNC’s School of Medicine–Psychiatry is looking for young people (ages 18 to 21) who are feeling anxious on a regular basis and who wouldn’t mind participating in “brain-stimulation” activities that might help. Click here to find out if you’re eligible; if so, you’ll have two in-person visits and 6 weeks of daily at-home brain-stimulation activities with questionnaires and weekly check-ins. Afterwards there will be 5 weeks of followup questionnaires and one final interview over the phone. You will earn up to $500 for your participation; write for more info.
UNC–CHAPEL HILL’s IFE4HER STUDY
919-391-0231, IFE4study@gmail.com
Durham Housing Authority residents who are women age 18+ are invited to book free appointments for visiting a mobile health van that offers blood-pressure checks, blood-glucose checks, HIV tests, and PrEP consultations. Doing so will enter you in an IFE4Her health-service study. If you’d like to participate, click here; call or write to if you have any questions.
UNC–CHAPEL HILL’s TEMPO* RESEARCH TRIAL
UNC’s School of Medicine–Psychiatry wants to study the effects of restricted meal times on older people with mild cognitive impairment (changes in memory or thinking). Over 12 weeks, participants will try brief fasts with weekly trainings on Zoom. They’ll monitor your (or your family member’s) brain function and have you come in 4 times for blood lab tests. To be eligible, participants must be overweight, sedentary (not moving much during the day), between the ages of 65 and 80, with mild cognitive impairment. You will earn $200 for your participation; contact Caroline Nelson for more info.
* TEMPO = Time restricted Eating for Metabolic and Psychologic Optimization
VELOCITY CLINICAL RESEARCH
Velocity Clinical Research has developed several Weight-Loss Studies. People who are having trouble losing weight, even after making serious lifestyle changes, are invited to call or to sign up at to learn about these studies. Eligible participants can receive compensation, with the amount depending on the study. You can also learn about upcoming trials by downloading the VISION Engage app from the App Store or Google Play.
WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE’s LIVING MEMORY HOME STUDY
646-962-5637, sek4011@med.cornell.edu
Cornell University’s medical school is looking for people caring for family members or friends with Alzheimer’s who are willing to help find out if the Living Memory Home for Dementia Care Pairs app works. They’re designing an app that’s supposed to use memories to improve the well-being and quality of life of Alzheimer’s patients. To be eligible, you must be an English-speaking USA resident over the age of 18 and the primary caregiver of someone at the early or moderate stage of Alzheimer’s disease. You will be compensated for your participation; call or write for more info.
INFORMATION ABOUT CANCER; SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
Learn all about cancer from the American Cancer Society:
Skin cancer
Other types of cancer (choose one)
Here’s more locally based information from the American Cancer Society’s
North Carolina chapter: NC ACS website.
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION
308 Crutchfield St, Suite D, 919-470-8680, website
The Community Health Coalition is on the lookout for enthusiastic young people who can help as Food Program Interns, Programming Assistant Interns, Clinic Assistant Interns, and Tech/IT Interns. Click here for more info by filling out a short survey.
The CHC is holding a Community Flood Relief Drive for those who were adversely affected by Tropical Storm Chantal. They’re accepting donations of bottled water, toiletries (toothpaste soap, feminine hygiene products, etc), cleaning supplies (gloves, disinfectant wipes, trash bags, etc), towels and blankets, baby supplies, and anything else you think can help. Drop off your donations at the CHC office on weekdays between 8am and 4pm. Call if you have any questions, and thanks in advance.
Listen to Dr Veita Bland MD’s podcast, It’s a Matter of Health. Dr Bland discusses various health topics with a wide variety of interesting guests. Click on the radio to start listening.
HOPE4NC HELPLINE
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is offering the Hope4NC helpline for people needing mental-health support due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone can get free and confidential emotional support and helpful resources 24/7 via telephone, text, or chat. This service is also available in Spanish. The Hope4NC helpline number is 855-587-3463; click here for more info, to start a chat, send a text message, and to get help in Spanish.
Feel free to explore the NCDHHS’s COVID-19 website here for more resources and information on staying both physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic.
Formed by a partnership of Safe Kids North Carolina, the Riverkeepers of North Carolina, NC State Bureau of Investigation, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of North Carolina, and local law enforcement agencies, Operation Medicine Drop is an initiative that helps people safely dispose of expired and unused medications. A common practice is to flush them down the toilet, but that poisons the waters and endangers wildlife. Simply tossing them in the trash is also a bad idea. Someone could come along, fish them out, and use them as recreational drugs. Many overdoses and other drug-related problems happen because someone didn’t get rid of over-the-counter medications properly.
Operation Medicine Drop provides safe dropoff points for those who want to get rid of their old medications easily and safely. Here are the Durham County locations:
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Durham County Justice Center (510 S Dillard St, in the lobby, 919-560-0854)—weekdays 8:15am–5pm; call first
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Durham County Sheriff’s Office, North Station (11821 US Hwy 501 N, in Rougemont, 919-560-0930)—weekdays 8am–4:30pm
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Durham District 2 Police Substation (5285 N Roxboro Rd, 919-560-4322)—weekdays 8am–5pm; call first
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Durham District 3 Police Substation (#8 Consultant Pl, Shannon Rd near MLK Pkwy, 919-560-4600)—weekdays 8am–5pm; call first
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Durham Police Department Headquarters (602 E Main St, 919-560-4600)—anytime (24/7).
Click here for more info.
Here are some additional locations, as provided by the Lincoln Community Health Center:
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Durham County Department of Public Health (414 E Main St, 919-560-7632)—weekdays 8:30am–5pm; pharmacy 1st floor, Clinic 3 dropbox in the lobby; accepts controlled substances, separate disposal for sharps
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Central Pharmacy (2609 N Duke St, Suite 103, 919-220-5121)—weekdays 9am–5:30pm, Saturdays 9am–noon; accepts controlled substances but no sharps
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CVS (3573 Hillsborough Rd, 919-383-0171)—accepts controlled substances but no sharps, aerosols, inhalers, illicit drugs, or chemotherapy waste
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CVS (2103 TW Alexander Dr, 919-957-2989)—accepts controlled substances but no sharps, aerosols, inhalers, illicit drugs, or chemotherapy waste
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Triangle Pharmacy (1700 E Hwy 54, 919-544-1711)—weekdays 8am–8pm, Saturdays 8am–6pm, Sundays noon–6pm; accepts controlled substances but no sharps
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Walgreens (3905 N Roxboro St, 919-471-1534)—accepts controlled substances; call first
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Walgreens (6406 Fayetteville Rd, 919-544-6430); call first.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES
The American Red Cross will host the following pop-up Blood Drives. (Blood/platelets can also be donated just about every day at the American Red Cross office (4737 University Dr).) Click here for more info and to set an appointment.
Tuesday, December 2
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Duke University PA Program (800 S Duke St), 11am–4pm
Friday, December 12
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Streets at Southpoint (6910 Fayetteville Rd), 1–6pm
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Yates Baptist Church (2819 Chapel Hill Rd), 1–6pm
Monday, December 15
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Grace Lutheran Church (824 N Buchanan Blvd), 11am–4pm
Wednesday, December 17
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Bell and Howell (3791 S Alston Ave), 9:30am–2:30pm
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Rose of Sharon Baptist Church (4109 Guess Rd), 2–6pm
Thursday, December 18
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City of Durham’s Water Management Facility (1600 Mist Lake Dr), 10am–3pm
Tuesday, December 23
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Streets at Southpoint (6910 Fayetteville Rd), noon–6pm
Wednesday, December 24
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Aloft Durham Downtown Hotel (345 Blackwell St), 9am–1:30pm
Friday, December 26
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Chick-fil-A (3429 Hillsborough Rd), noon–5pm; look for the BUS
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Streets at Southpoint (6910 Fayetteville Rd), noon–6pm
Saturday, December 27
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Southside Church of Christ (800 Elmira Ave), 9am–2pm
Tuesday, December 30
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West Durham Baptist Church (1901 Athens Ave), 11am–4pm
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Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), noon–5pm
Friday, January 2
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Durham Convention Center (301 W Morgan St), 10am–3pm
Saturday, January 3
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The River Church (4425 Ben Franklin Blvd), 9am–2pm
Tuesday, January 6
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St Matthew Catholic Church (1001 Mason Rd), 1–6pm
Wednesday, January 7
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Durham School of the Arts (400 N Duke St), noon–4:30pm.
BLOOD CONNECTION BLOOD DRIVES
The Blood Connection hosts mobile Blood Drives throughout Durham. Here’s a partial schedule of the pop-up locations (in the most public spaces). Click here to see the full list of locations and dates:
Tuesday, December 2
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Duke University’s Camp Kesem (124 Science Dr), 11am–4pm
Wednesday, December 3
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Corning (1 Becton Circle, in Treyburn Corporate Park), 11am–3pm
Thursday, December 4
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Museum of Life and Science (433 W Murray Ave), 9:30am–12:30pm
Thursday, December 11
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Almac (4321 Medical Park Dr), 9:30am–1:30pm
Saturday, December 13
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Chick-fil-A (7836 Leonardo Dr, in Renaissance Village), 11am–3pm
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Belk (6910 Fayetteville Rd, in Streets at Southpoint), 4–6:30pm
Sunday, December 14
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Kohl’s (5241 McFarland Rd), 11am–7pm
Saturday, December 27
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Kohl’s (5241 McFarland Rd), 11am–7pm
Sunday, January 4
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Kohl’s (5241 McFarland Rd), 11am–7pm
Thursday, January 8
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Duke BME PhD Student Association (101 Coal Pile Dr, in the Bryan Research Center), 11am–4pm
Saturday, January 10
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WD Hill Recreation Center (1308 Fayetteville St), 1–5pm.
Click the graphic and add
your ZIP code to find out.
THAT ALL MAY READ
The National Library Service in Washington DC, in cooperation with libraries across the country, hosts the That All May Read program. People with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that keeps them from reading or holding a book can have braille or audio books delivered to them free of charge. You can choose physical books or free downloads. Click here to get started.
NAR-ANON
Relatives and friends of people with addictions are invited to attend their own 12-step program to help figure out ways to understand and support their loved-ones. Get your questions answered and identify community resources while meeting others who are in similar circumstances. NAR-ANON meetings are held every Thursday, 5–6pm, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (2200 S Alston Ave).
NORTH CAROLINA READING SERVICE
211 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 103, Raleigh,
The North Carolina Reading Service is a free service helps blind and visually impaired people keep up with the news and entertainment worlds. Volunteers read local news stories, editorials, obituaries, books, and advertisements from a variety of publications. They also read special programs that discuss specific topics like education, tech tips, and legal matters. Users can then listen via their smartphone and tablet apps, the NCRS website, or with any “Alexa”-enabled device.
Listeners who don’t have internet access can borrow specially tuned receivers free of charge. Donations to NCRS help cover the average price of $70 per receiver, and some listeners make donations if they’re able to. Click here to see the various ways of enjoying the broadcasts and to see the list of podcasts included with the service. Visit the website if you’d like to make a monetary donation or if you’d like to be a volunteer reader.
EPILEPSY YOUTUBE CHANNEL
If you’d like to learn about epilepsy from an advocate who has it, check out Roxanne Davenport’s ‘Seize’ure the Day show on YouTube, which airs live every other Tuesday at 7:30pm. Click here to go to the ‘Seize’ure the Day YouTube channel.
MEN’S HEALTH
The Durham County Department of Public Health has put together a Men’s Health Initiative Exercise guide, which includes descriptions and videos for strengthening the core, improving balance, increasing oxygen intake and heart rate, and developing more flexibility. Click here to check it out.
HEALTH EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM
4206 N Roxboro St, Suite 100, 919-748-1022, website
Project Access connects people who don’t have health insurance with medical services that are affordable or free of charge, and HELP, the Health Equipment Loan Program, helps everyday folks gain access to medical equipment that they couldn’t otherwise afford.
If you have and no longer need any of the items listed below*, it would be greatly appreciated if you could donate it. Everything will be sanitized and repaired if necessary so they can be loaned out to people for easily renewable 3-month periods regardless of their insurance status. If you need anything, check the list and see if there’s anything you could use. HELP is open Tuesdays (10am–2pm) and Fridays (1–5pm). Visit the website or call and ask for the manager for more info.
* Walkers— front-wheel walker (2 wheels, no seat), knee walker, rollator (4 wheels + seat), bariatric rollator, standing rollator, folding adjustable walker (no wheels), hemi-walker, walker tray, walker with 3 wheels, arm platform for walker
Wheelchairs—standard wheelchair, companion/transport wheelchair, leg rests, bariatric wheelchair, wheelchair tray
Canes/Crutches—adjustable crutches, adjustable cane, quad cane (small or large base), forearm crutches, walking stick
Toileting—bedside commode, raised toilet seat, bedside commode drop arm, toilet safety frame (all types)
Shower/Bath—shower chair, tub transfer bench (with back or without legs for the shower), tub grab bar, clamp on tub handle
Transfer/Mobility Aids—bed cane or rail, car assist, chair assist, gait belt, leg lifter, step, transfer board
Dressing Aids—dressing stick, grabber, long shoehorn, sock aid
Around the Home—ramp, pull cart, table, lap tray, exercise pedals.
