Introduction & Vision Statement

Gaston County, NC - The Gaston County Community Health Assessment (CHA) findings have been released and highlight the community's top health concerns. The CHA is a collaborative effort between the Gaston County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and CaroMont Regional Medical Center and provides a comprehensive review of the demographic, social, and economic factors influencing the health of Gaston County citizens.  The report presents the notable health outcomes in Gaston County, and includes a survey of over 1,400 individuals who provide their individual experiences and opinions.

When the full report had been compiled, DHHS presented the data to leadership teams from numerous governmental, nonprofit and neighborhood organizations in the county. These community leaders reviewed the data and voted on the priority areas to be addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The priority areas selected are:

• Access to Healthcare-Neighborhood Initiative 
• Infant and Maternal Health 
• Substance Use and Misuse 

Leadership

The CHA process was facilitated by public health staff. Staff contributed to the design of the survey as well as provided critical input when determining priorities.

• Steve Eaton, DHHS Director
• Brittain Kenney, Public Health Director
• Carrie Meier, Community Health Education Administrator
• Ellen Wright, Communicable Disease Coordinator
• Cheri Singleton, Community and Support Services Nursing Administrator
• Jacob Smith, CDC Associate
• Diana Willman, Latinx Outreach Coordinator
• Krystle White, Manager of Health Equity Outcomes
• Leigh Yount, Health Education Supervisor
• Marti Morris, Data Analyst
• Jenny Niu, Community Health Strategist
• Abby Newton, Special Projects Manager
• La Verne Partlow, Health Education Coordinator

Partnerships/Collaborations

• CaroMont Regional Medical Center
• City of Gastonia
• Community Foundation of Gaston County
• Gaston Business Association
• Gaston County Government
• Gaston County Schools
• Gaston County YMCA
• Gaston Together
• Highland Neighborhood Association
• Holy Angels
• Kintegra Health
• Partners Behavioral Health
• Phoenix Counseling
• Senior TLC
• United Way of Gaston County

Theoretical Framework and Model

The following frameworks and models were used in conducting the Community Health Assessment:

• County Health Rankings Model
• Healthy North Carolina 2030 Framework
• CDC Assessment and Planning Framework

Collaborative Process Timeline/Summary

2021 Community Health Assessment Key Findings & Health Priorities

Gaston County utilized an in-depth approach in defining the health priorities for the County Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). In partnership with CaroMont Health System, a presentation outlining the primary health indicators of Gaston County was developed. The presentation was viewed by several professional and neighborhood organizations throughout Gaston County. After the presentation and a following discussion, participants were asked to vote on their priorities for the community. Over 75 individuals participated in this priority-setting process.

The following focus areas were chosen during community meetings around Community Health Assessment findings. These will be the key health priorities Gaston County will focus on with the Community Health Improvement Plan.

1. Maternal & Infant Health
   1. Infant mortality remained level between 2016 and 2019 and increased by 83% between 2019 and 2020. This was seen most notably in the African American Community, where the increase between 2019 and 2020 was 115%.
   2. Access to prenatal care in the first trimester is often cited as a primary factor in healthy pregnancies and births. While behaviors for all racial and ethnic groups are increasing between 2016 and 2020, African Americans and Hispanics are still less likely to seek early care.
2. Substance Use & Misuse
   1. Opioid deaths have historically been associated with prescription pain medication, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone; however, deaths due to illicit substances, such as heroin and fentanyl, have increased in North Carolina and constitute the primary cause of opioid-related deaths in Gaston County. In 2021, the percentage of overdose deaths from illicit opioids was 71.7%.
   2. Gaston Emergency Medical Services Response has seen an increase in the number of Narcan doses administered and overall overdose cases. The number of charted opioid overdoses increased by 172% between 2019 and 2021.
3. Access to Healthcare: Neighborhood Initiative 
   1. Affordable and high-quality insurance is a primary determinant of access to healthcare. Gaston county census tracts range from less than 2% uninsured to over 25% uninsured.
   2. Transportation is an essential element in access to healthcare for Gaston County residents. The city of Gastonia has the only bus route in the county with a limited service area. The “Access” program provides transportation in rural parts of the county but is limited to those receiving Medicaid.
   3. Residents ranked in the top 25% of Census tract health risk factors which included high rates of cancer, heart disease, depression, diabetes, poverty, and others. The chart below provides a visual representation.

Next Steps

• Residents can request more information about the CHA/CHIP
• Residents can volunteer with workgroups/collaborations/partnerships for each priority area  (add interest email)
• Be informed about the community health in Gaston County
• Data sharing in the community about health needs
• Continual evaluation of programs and use of best practice interventions in all programming for priority areas
• Program and fund development for all priority areas

Gaston County Health Priorities 

1. Access to Healthcare : Neighborhood Initiative 

2. Infant and Maternal Health  

3. Substance Use and Misuse  

Read our 2021 Gaston County Community Health Assessment: here