Pitt County Health Department receives accreditation with honors
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — On May 9, 2025, the Pitt County Health Department was among thirteen health departments across the state reaccredited by the North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation (NCLHDA) Board.
'We celebrate each health department who has newly completed an accreditation cycle. Accreditation is a quality improvement process to help agencies identify strengths and opportunities as health departments work daily to serve their communities,' NC Local Health Department Accreditation Administrator, Margaret Benson Nemitz said. 'The accreditation process requires teamwork and dedication from health department staff, Boards of Health members, site visitors, and Accreditation Board members, all working together to identify, clarify, verify, and amplify the quality work taking place across our state. Each of these agencies has demonstrated their ability to maintain and/or exceed the standards established by the NCLHDA program, including throughout their COVID response. Congratulations!'
Receiving the Accreditation with Honors designation is a way to recognize agencies that have excelled in their accreditation assessment by missing one or less activities within each of five standards set by the NCLHDA program. Pitt County received this designation as well as 9 other counties, which include Albemarle Regional Health Services, Columbus County Health Department, Guilford County Department of Public Health, Jackson County Department of Public Health, Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, Montgomery County Department of Health, Rockingham County Health Department, Sampson County Health Department, and Wilkes County Health Department.
'The reaccreditation process is a rigorous and comprehensive undertaking that reflects years of dedicated preparation,' Pitt County Health Director, Wes Gray said. 'I am immensely proud of our staff for their unwavering commitment to excellence and for being recognized for the outstanding quality of work they deliver each day.'
North Carolina is actually the first state in the country to mandate accreditation for its local health departments.
For more information, contact Allison Swart, Health Education Division Director, at 252-902-2426.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Home Medical Equipment Market is expected to grow at a steady CAGR of 4.5% through 2034
Home Medical Equipment MarkeT Outlook, Trends and Forecast to 2034 Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Market Overview The global home medical equipment market is witnessing a transformative shift driven by evolving healthcare delivery models, technological integration, and rising patient preference for at-home care. Valued at approximately USD 45 billion in 2024, the market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.5%, reaching USD 69 billion by 2034. This steady growth is primarily supported by an aging global population, the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses, and the subsequent need for cost-effective, home-based health management solutions. Patients and caregivers are increasingly leaning towards home care due to its convenience, affordability, and ability to reduce hospital readmissions. Download PDF Brochure: Key Growth Drivers A significant driver of market expansion is the growing burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory conditions. These require ongoing management, often best conducted in the comfort of a patient's home. Additionally, the global demographic shift towards an older population has intensified the demand for home-based care, especially for patients with mobility limitations or long-term conditions. The advancement and adoption of telehealth, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled devices, and wearable healthcare technology further contribute to this growth. These innovations have made it easier for patients to track their health metrics remotely and for healthcare professionals to monitor progress without physical visits. Enhanced connectivity and patient engagement tools are also driving better clinical outcomes, thus fueling adoption. Market Restraints and Challenges Despite promising growth prospects, the home medical equipment market faces notable hurdles. Regulatory variability across regions poses challenges for device approvals and commercialization. The lack of harmonized standards often leads to delays in product launches and increases compliance costs. Moreover, disparate reimbursement policies across countries complicate the adoption of home medical devices, especially in low-to-middle-income economies where public health coverage is limited. Supply chain disruptions, worsened by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, have led to raw material shortages and increased production costs. Moreover, pricing pressures and competition from low-cost manufacturers further strain profit margins, making it difficult for companies to balance affordability and innovation. Segmentation Analysis By Product Type The market is segmented into monitoring and therapeutic devices, mobility assist devices, home respiratory equipment, sleep apnea devices, wound care, IV equipment, and other categories. Monitoring and therapeutic devices dominate the segment, accounting for roughly 30% of the market share. These include glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, and other devices critical for chronic disease management. Their adoption is fueled by technological integration, especially telehealth compatibility. Mobility assist devices, including wheelchairs and walkers, contribute approximately 20% of the total share. Their demand is closely tied to the aging population and innovations such as lightweight materials and ergonomic designs. Home respiratory equipment, which includes oxygen concentrators and nebulizers, holds an 18% share. The spike in respiratory ailments, including long-term effects of COVID-19, has significantly driven growth in this segment. By End User The homecare settings segment leads the market with around 40% of the demand, driven by growing patient preference for personalized care and economic savings compared to institutional care. Hospitals, although traditionally dominant, now account for 25%, often engaging in partnerships with homecare providers to manage post-discharge care. Rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities represent about 15%, supported by integrated care models that combine therapeutic and mobility support at home. By Distribution Channel Direct sales channels, where companies sell products directly to consumers or care facilities, account for nearly 30% of the market. This approach offers customized solutions and stronger customer relationships. Online sales, contributing to 28%, are growing rapidly due to consumer convenience and the rising popularity of e-commerce. Meanwhile, retail pharmacies and medical equipment stores together represent about 20%, supported by their accessibility and integration with health services. By Demographics The geriatric population makes up 60% of the market, reflecting their higher demand for home medical equipment due to age-related conditions. Adults, particularly those managing chronic conditions at home, contribute 25%, while the pediatric segment comprises 15%, driven by parental preferences for home-based treatment solutions. Browse full Report - Market Segmentation Product Type: Monitoring and Therapeutic Devices Mobility Assist Devices Home Respiratory Equipment Sleep Apnea Devices Wound Care Equipment Home IV Equipment Other Home Healthcare Equipment End-User: Hospitals Homecare Settings Rehabilitation Centers Long-term Care Facilities Assisted Living Facilities Distribution Channel: Direct Sales Online Sales Retail Pharmacies Medical Equipment Stores Demographics: Age Group (Pediatrics, Adults, Geriatrics) Gender (Male, Female) Socioeconomic Status (Low, Medium, High-income groups) Regional Insights North America leads the global market, contributing approximately 40% of total revenue in 2024. The region benefits from robust healthcare infrastructure, favorable reimbursement policies, and a high prevalence of chronic conditions. Technological adoption is also significantly high, with telemedicine and IoT devices becoming standard in many care settings. North America is projected to maintain a healthy CAGR of 5.5% through 2034. Europe holds around 25% of the global share, led by countries such as Germany and France. The region is characterized by a growing elderly population, supportive homecare policies, and well-established healthcare systems. The forecast CAGR for Europe is 4.8%, driven by demand for remote care solutions and wearable devices. Asia-Pacific, accounting for 20% of market share in 2024, is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.2%. Key contributors include China, India, and Japan, where rising disposable incomes, healthcare awareness, and investments in healthcare infrastructure are accelerating adoption. However, regulatory complexities and regional disparities remain challenges. Latin America and the Middle East are emerging regions, each showing potential with projected CAGRs of 6.4% and 6.1%, respectively. Improvements in healthcare access, economic reforms, and increased awareness of homecare benefits are aiding growth, though infrastructural and regulatory barriers persist. Key Market Trends and Opportunities An increasing focus on preventive healthcare is shaping demand for home diagnostics and early detection devices. This shift is accompanied by growing interest in wearables, AI-enabled analytics, and remote patient monitoring systems, offering a promising frontier for device manufacturers. New business models, including equipment-as-a-service and subscription-based offerings, are gaining popularity. These provide affordability and flexibility to users while ensuring stable revenue streams for providers. Moreover, partnerships between device manufacturers and digital health platforms are becoming a norm, resulting in integrated care solutions that improve patient adherence and satisfaction. Emerging areas of opportunity include mental health support tools and chronic disease management platforms, both of which require consistent monitoring and therapy that can be effectively managed at home. As healthcare transitions toward a patient-centric model, home medical equipment companies have a unique opportunity to redefine care delivery. Buy Now: Recent Market Developments Key Competitors Philips Healthcare Invacare Corporation Medtronic ResMed Baxter International Inc. Johnson & Johnson Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Arjo AB GE Healthcare Omron Healthcare SunMed Amedisys Inc. althera Health1. Philips Healthcare Month & Year: October 2023 Type of Development: Product Launch Detailed Analysis: In October 2023, Philips Healthcare launched an innovative range of portable home ventilators aimed at improving respiratory care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This launch is significant as it responds to an increasing global demand for at-home healthcare solutions, especially post-pandemic, where many patients prefer or are required to manage their health from home. The portable nature of these ventilators facilitates easy transport and increased accessibility, appealing to both consumers and healthcare providers seeking to enhance patient care. As healthcare systems globally pivot towards value-based care models, products like Philips' new ventilators may help drive a competitive edge by offering enhanced patient-centric solutions, thereby potentially increasing market shares among key competitors. This strategic move reflects a trend towards integrating advanced technology in home medical equipment, likely setting new standards for functionality and user experience. 2. Invacare Corporation Month & Year: September 2023 Type of Development: Acquisition Detailed Analysis: Invacare Corporation announced its acquisition of a leading telehealth platform in September 2023, marking a pivotal shift towards digital healthcare integration within home medical equipment. This acquisition aligns with emerging trends that emphasize remote patient monitoring and telehealth services, which have surged in demand since the pandemic. The significance of this move lies in Invacare's commitment to providing comprehensive home care solutions that not only offer medical equipment but also integrate vital telehealth technologies. By enhancing their product offerings to include remote monitoring capabilities, Invacare positions itself to capture a growing segment of the market that values digital health tools. Moreover, this acquisition may prompt competitive shifts, as it encourages other players to innovate and expand their offerings in line with technological advancements, further transforming the home healthcare sector. 3. Medtronic Month & Year: August 2023 Type of Development: Regulatory Approval Detailed Analysis: In August 2023, Medtronic obtained regulatory approval for its latest remote monitoring system, designed for chronic disease management in home settings. This system enables healthcare providers to monitor patient health metrics in real-time, facilitating proactive care interventions. The significance of this approval cannot be overstated, considering the increasing emphasis on reducing hospital readmissions and improving care efficiency. Medtronic's system stands to reshape care pathways by allowing timely decision-making based on comprehensive patient data. With the home healthcare market projected to grow substantially, this advancement could drive competitive advantage, compelling other companies to pursue similar regulatory pathways to enhance their offerings. As the technology gains traction, it may also highlight a shift toward integrated care solutions that leverage data analytics and remote technologies, indicating an evolution in home care's operational model. 4. ResMed Month & Year: July 2023 Type of Development: Partnership Detailed Analysis: July 2023 saw ResMed enter into a strategic partnership with a leading digital health company to enhance sleep apnea treatment through data-driven solutions. The partnership aims to integrate wearable technology to monitor sleep patterns effectively and personalize therapy for patients using ResMed devices. This collaboration is significant as it reflects a growing trend towards integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into patient care. By leveraging technology, ResMed not only improves treatment efficacy but also elevates patient engagement, making adherence to treatment protocols more intuitive. The collaboration could lead to increased market share and customer loyalty for ResMed, setting a precedent for other players to engage in similar innovative partnerships. Those companies that fail to adopt such integrative approaches may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage as the market increasingly values connected healthcare solutions. 5. Baxter International Inc. Month & Year: June 2023 Type of Development: Expansion Detailed Analysis: In June 2023, Baxter International Inc. announced its expansion into the Asian market with the opening of a new manufacturing facility dedicated to home intravenous therapy products. This move reflects Baxter's strategic focus on growing international revenues amidst increasing local demand for home care solutions. By tapping into the burgeoning Asian economy, which is witnessing a rapid shift towards home healthcare due to its cost-effectiveness and patient preference, Baxter is poised to significantly bolster its market presence. This expansion also signifies a competitive shift, as it may encourage other global players to target emerging markets aggressively. The trend towards localized production not only facilitates faster response times to market demands but also positions companies like Baxter to capitalize on regional healthcare initiatives aimed at reducing hospital overcrowding, thereby influencing the overall landscape of home healthcare products. 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Kentucky families must renew Medicaid for first time since pandemic. Here's what to know
Starting in July, thousands of families across Kentucky must again renew their Medicaid enrollment— a process one local health provider warns could leave some without necessary insurance coverage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky halted annual Medicaid renewals, allowing participants to automatically be reenrolled. In 2023, the state ended that policy, requiring Medicaid recipients to go back to submitting enrollment paperwork every year — except for those in the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). KCHIP is a free health insurance program for families with an income at or under 218% of the federal poverty level — or up to $70,000 per year for a family of four. Children under 19, pregnant mothers and mothers within one year of postpartum are eligible to receive KCHIP coverage. When recertification resumed in 2023, the state introduced several flexibilities to ensure vulnerable populations could remain covered, including extending automatic renewal for KCHIP participants. The goal was 'simplify the renewal process, reduce inappropriate terminations and allow the state to manage the increased workload,' according to a document from the Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services. Now, that flexibility is ending, meaning thousands of Kentucky families will start receiving notices to update and recertify their Medicaid eligibility. Here's what to know. Families will get a letter when it's time to recertify and should watch for notices by mail, phone and email. There are also several ways to check Medicaid eligibility and recertify if needed. Visit Call 855.4kynect (855.459.6328) to speak with a caseworker. Visit your local Department for Community Based Services office. Contact a state kynector for assistance through Once enrolled, coverage lasts for 12 months. Even if changes make families ineligible for the program, children retain coverage for the year. Families can miss notifications to reenroll for a lot of reasons, said Bart Irwin, CEO of Family Health Centers, a nonprofit primary care provider with locations across Louisville. Maybe they've changed addresses, incorrectly filled out paperwork or missed deadlines — but that doesn't mean they are not financially eligible for Medicaid or KCHIP. "There's a connection that if parents or caregivers lose Medicaid, it's highly likely a child will lose Medicaid too," Irwin said. "I don't quite understand the connection, but one [reason] I would think is that if the parents miss the opportunity or don't respond correctly to the state's inquiry on their own behalf, it's likely they're not going to on their child's behalf, too." If someone does not respond to a renewal by the deadline, they will be unenrolled from coverage. KCHIP participants and families can call 855-459-6328 as soon as they learn they are unenrolled for lack of response. If they are determined eligible within 90 days of termination, coverage may be rolled back to the day of termination. Irwin said recertification for the KCHIP program could artificially deflate Medicaid rolls, similar to when the state stopped automatic enrollment for adults on Medicaid in 2023. Between April, when recertification restarted, and December 2023, Jefferson County saw more than 28,500 drop off the program's rolls, according to data from the Cabinet of Health and Family Services. Children make up a substantial portion of Medicaid recipients in Jefferson County, with over 108,000 kids receiving coverage. A third of Family Health Centers' Medicaid patients are children under 19. "It would be the same process as going through our kynectors and helping them redo certification, we know they're eligible, right?" Irwin said. "It's going to be the bureaucratic process that's going to harm the kids. It's missing the letter, or not putting the right information in, or forgetting some information, that's what's going to knock kids off." Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky families must again renew Medicaid. Here's how to recertify
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Confused about the COVID-19 booster? Here's what children, pregnant women in Kentucky need to know
The guidance about who can and should receive COVID-19 vaccines and boosters is shifting. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children. Instead of lumping it in with recommended vaccines, doctors will utilize a shared decision-making model with parents or guardians to determine whether a child should be vaccinated. The same day, the CDC also rolled back its recommendation that pregnant women receive the vaccine, which clashes with previous guidance. These changes are unprecedented in the sense that the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices traditionally meets and votes on changes to the immunization schedule, or recommendations on who should get vaccines. From there, the director of the CDC typically makes a final call ― but the committee did not vote on the changes Kennedy announced on May 27. There have been reports, too, that this fall U.S. Food and Drug Administration may limit vaccine availability for healthy adults. With all this in mind, The Courier Journal sat down with Dr. Steven Stack, the commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, who guided Kentucky through the COVID-19 pandemic. We also checked in with Dr. Kristina Bryant, who serves as associate medical director for Louisville Metro's Department of Public Health and Wellness, as well as UofL Health's Dr. Valerie Briones-Pryor, who treated patients on frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and was one of the first five people in Kentucky to receive the vaccine. More: COVID isn't over. RFK Jr.'s vaccine recommendation is a terrible choice. | Opinion All three experts stressed that the most important thing a person can do amid these changes is consult your primary care physician or your child's pediatrician about what's best for your household. But there are still many question marks about what these changes could mean for the public. If you're confused by the recommendations coming out of federal government regarding the COVID vaccine and booster availability, you're not alone. Here's what a few Kentucky medical experts have to say on the topic: COVID-19 has largely shifted from a deadly pandemic to a virus that doctors are able to control, Briones-Pryor said. There are more than 200 different kinds of respiratory viruses in humans, and even the common cold can be deadly when it hits a person who is immunocompromised. In many cases, the treatment is the same whether the virus is COVID-19 or not. Patients usually need rest, fluids and time to heal. 'It's evolved to such a way that now I don't ask if they're vaccinated anymore, because they all come in with respiratory viral illnesses and and there's really no treatment for it,' Briones-Pryor said. COVID-19 remains a serious respiratory disease, and it still kills far more people than influenza does, Stack said. People who keep current with their immunizations are less likely to end up in the hospital with complications from COVID-19. Adults, in general, are more likely than children to get sick from COVID-19, Stack said, but children often become sicker from COVID-19 than they do from most other regular viral respiratory illnesses. 'The thing that has changed is we've had a federal election, and the administration has changed,' Stack, the commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said. 'And with that change in administration, (there's) a new approach to messaging related to infectious diseases, immunizations and public health in general, so that that's what's changed.' More: As memories fade, playing hockey is frozen in time for Louisville man with Alzheimer's The COVID-19 vaccine is safe for pregnant women and it protects the mother and the unborn child from the disease, Stack said. While federal agencies have stopped recommending the COVID vaccine for pregnant women, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has not. Stack cited a statement the college released on May 27. 'ACOG is concerned about and extremely disappointed by the announcement that HHS will no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy,' said Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "As ob-gyns who treat patients every day, we have seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection. We also understand that despite the change in recommendations from HHS, the science has not changed.' The COVID-19 vaccines will still be available for children, under a shared decision-making model, Bryant, with Louisville Metro's Department of Public Health and Wellness, said. The language and approach doctors use are the primary difference between a shared decision-making model and the recommendation that existed up until this point. With a recommendation from the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine would be offered as readily as immunizations for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, Bryant said. With a shared decision-making model, the doctor would tell a parent the vaccine is available and offer some education about why they might want to consider it, Bryant said. Then the doctor would ask if the parent has questions, and if they'd like their child to have the vaccine. Bryant also stressed that even with this change, the CDC has not advised against the COVID-19 vaccine for children. 'I would say to parents that, as a reminder, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective,' Bryant said. 'This vaccine underwent the most rigorous safety studies In U.S. history ... and there have been multiple studies that have shown that the vaccine is safe and effective in children and adults.' More: Kentucky marks first whooping cough deaths since 2018. What we know Stack isn't worried about COVID-19 overwhelming hospitals in its present form. The virus would have to mutate in an unexpected way to cause the chaos it did in 2020. It's still too early to know whether insurance companies will continue to cover the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women, children and healthy adults. In general, insurance companies have followed the federal recommended vaccine schedule, Stack said. However, Stack said, the companies follow those schedules 'in the confidence that a rigorous and transparent scientific process makes recommendations for what should or should not be on that schedule, and who should or should not get certain types of immunizations depending on their risks of harm from the diseases.' That hasn't been the case because the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices didn't meet and vote on this guidance. 'I think there's a lot of concern in the scientific community and in the medical community about whether these recommendations are based in sound science,' Stack said. Overall, Stack said, if vaccines are discouraged or not recommended, it could create confusion for commercial and public health insurers about what they are required to cover. 'It really does throw into uncertainty 'will Kentuckians and will the American people continue to have access to immunizations that have clearly protected countless numbers of people and saved an enormous number of lives over the years?'' Stack said. It can be difficult to keep up with changes and advancements in science, Briones-Pryor said, so it's important to talk with your primary care physician to figure out what's best for you and your household. She noted that throughout her career, she's seen several medicines go off the market and frequency of preventative screenings, such as pap smears and colonoscopies, shift overtime. 'Change is hard, especially in medicine,' Briones-Pryor said. 'We don't do change well as a society. ... We continue to learn about the things that we do (in medicine), and hope that we can find things that are better and safer. It's been an interesting ride.' Practicing good hygiene can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Briones-Pryor recommended washing hands frequently for the full-length of the 'Happy Birthday,' avoiding touching your face, carrying hand sanitizer and trying to cover all coughs and sneezes. More: Kentucky families must renew Medicaid for first time since pandemic. Here's what to know The CDC recommends that anyone who may have COVID-19 or another respiratory virus stay home and avoid in-person contact with other people. A person can return to their normal activities when your symptoms have improved overall and you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Symptoms typically include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose and headache. The CDC encourages added precautions during the first five days of normal activities such as physical distancing, keeping good hygiene and wearing a mask. Information from the Courier Journal's sister paper, USA Today, was used in this report. Reach Courier Journal reporter Maggie Menderski at mmenderski@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Is the COVID vaccine necessary now? Read what Kentucky experts say
