Topic: Health and Wellness

Displaying 1 - 18 of 418

App State advances community-driven research for recovery and resilience
Ongoing post-Helene projects examine flood forecasting models, backup energy systems, ecological impacts, private well contamination and health solutions
Sept. 19, 2025
App State research in the wake of Helene has the university joining local partners, diving into health data, surveying ecosystems and energizing transdisciplinary initiatives to armor the Western North Carolina region against future disasters.
3 App State teams confront flood risks and teacher shortages with Chancellor's Innovation grants
Aug. 26, 2025
Three App State faculty teams have been awarded grants of up to $25,000 each as part of the 2025 Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program. Their winning projects aim to increase the number of special education teachers in NC’s public schools and better quantify flood–health risks by fusing data, AI and community input.
Is Carb Cycling the Key to Increasing Your Endurance? [faculty featured]
GQ
June 6, 2025
Health experts, including Dr. Laurel Wentz, an associate professor in App State’s Nutrition and Foods Program, discuss carb cycling and its potential benefits. The diet involves alternating between high- and low-carb intake days. Wentz is a registered dietitian and a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics.
App State nutrition students empower Watauga’s young athletes to use food as fuel for athletic performance
43 middle school student-athletes from 6 schools participated
June 5, 2025
Over 40 local middle school student-athletes took part in App State’s Fuel Your Game Watauga program this spring, learning how proper nutrition can boost athletic performance. App State nutrition graduate students engaged the students in discussions on food groups and shared nutritional facts.
App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
May 21, 2025
The Bedford Falls Foundation has committed $1million in support of App State’s Bachelor of Science in nursing program — specifically student scholarships and student success initiatives. More than 40 App State nursing students will benefit from this scholarship support.
App State opens Mofford and Giffin Food Hub at its Hickory campus
Funds for the food pantry were donated by local residents David Mofford ’09 and Zac Giffin
April 7, 2025
App State has opened a new food pantry — the Mofford and Giffin Food Hub — at its Hickory campus. A vital resource for Mountaineers who are experiencing food insecurity, the new pantry was made possible by a generous donation from local residents David Mofford ’09 and Zac Giffin.
App State earns national recognition as a top 10 Food Allergy-Friendly College
The Spokin ranking honors App State’s efforts to provide a campus dining experience designed for all
Dec. 10, 2024
App State has been recognized on a national scale for its efforts to provide a safe and inclusive campus dining experience for all. The university is ranked among the nation’s top 10 Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges according to Spokin, a food allergy app and lifestyle platform.
UNC System Board of Governors approves App State's new Doctor of Nursing Practice hybrid program
The program, launching in fall 2026, will develop the next generation of rural health care leaders
Nov. 20, 2024
In fall 2026, App State will launch a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program, designed to educate family practice nurse practitioners and respond to health care provider shortages, especially in rural areas. The program has been approved by the UNC System Board of Governors.
Carbo-loading before a big run? Here’s what experts suggest. [faculty featured]
The Washington Post
Oct. 23, 2024
In this article from The Washington Post, experts say that in the days ahead of a race, runners should consume extra carbohydrates to improve endurance. Dr. David Nieman, professor in App State’s Department of Biology, offers advice on how runners can avoid “hitting the wall” in a marathon. Nieman is the director of App State’s Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.
Dr. Brooke Christian awarded National Science Foundation grant to study biomolecule stabilization
Sept. 12, 2024
Dr. Brooke Christian, App State associate professor of chemistry, has received a $306,783 Research in Undergraduate Institutions Award from the National Science Foundation to support her research on biomolecule stabilization, which has important applications in numerous areas — from pharmaceuticals to the food industry. These awards support faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions in research that engages them in their professional field, builds capacity for research at their home institution and supports the integration of research and undergraduate education.
At App State’s Camp Jean Rankin, youth practice speech skills in fun, interactive settings
Aug. 29, 2024
Ten adolescents and teens from across the Southeast and Midwest attended App State’s second annual Camp Jean Rankin this summer, which provides unique opportunities for youth who stutter to learn fluency and self-empowerment skills and to enjoy High Country activities.
App State awarded nearly $2.2 million to support growth of its nursing programs
UNC System awards $29 million in grants to expand nursing education
July 22, 2024
App State will receive nearly $2.2 million over two years to expand its nursing degree programs, part of a groundbreaking statewide effort to address the nursing workforce shortage in North Carolina. The funding is part of $29 million in grants awarded by the UNC System.
Appalachian State begins Aging Well support program
Spectrum News 1
June 11, 2024
This feature from Spectrum News 1 follows a patient diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease as she receives an assessment through App State’s Aging Well support program. The program, with interprofessional clinics on the Boone and Hickory campuses, is a collaborative effort with community partners to support healthy aging for adults throughout the High Country. Clinic Program Manager Lizzie Muscarello and Clinic Director Bryan Belcher speak about the available technology for aging assessments, as well as the many opportunities the program offers, from free health screenings to support groups.
Is Non-Alcoholic Beer a Good Sports Drink? [faculty featured]
GQ
May 19, 2024
Health experts and athletes explore the benefits of non-alcoholic beer as a post-workout recovery drink in this GQ magazine feature. Dr. Laurel Wentz, associate professor in App State’s Nutrition and Foods Program, explains that non-alcoholic beer provides hydration effects similar to water, but also has the benefit of carbs, which the body needs to help recover after workouts. Wentz explains how pairing non-alcoholic beer with a high-protein snack can achieve similar results to sports drinks.
What to Eat Before and After Your Workout [faculty featured]
TIME
May 17, 2024
In this feature in TIME magazine, health experts explain why people should focus on foods in addition to proteins before and after workouts. Dr. David Nieman, professor in App State’s Department of Biology, notes that carbohydrates matter just as much as protein when working out, as well as fruits, nuts, dark greens and other plants. Nieman is director of the Human Performance Lab at App State’s North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.
Climate Disasters and Mental Health in Youth [faculty featured]
Environmental Health Chat
May 2, 2024
Dr. Maggie Sugg, associate professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, is the featured guest in this episode of the Environmental Health Chat podcast from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. In the episode, Sugg talks about how climate disasters affect mental health in youth, as well as some strategies to promote mental health resilience in young people and communities affected by natural disasters.
App State, Blue Cross NC partner to expand outreach programs for aging adults
April 16, 2024
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has donated $320,000 in support of App State’s Aging Well program, which equips adults to successfully navigate the aging process through educational programming, health screenings and other resources.
App State MSN alum awarded first place in graduate research category by Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association
Feb. 21, 2024
Steven Cuzmenco ’23 was awarded first place in the Graduate Capstone category by the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) for his thesis “Registered Nurses’ Perception of Plant-Based Dietary Patterns: Self-Efficacy, Health Beliefs and Behaviors.” His abstract will be published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, and he is invited to present his findings at the PCNA’s annual cardiovascular symposium in April in Orlando.