All Mecklenburg County priorities are addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Click on the links below for Progress Made in 2024.

For the priority area of Access to Care see Progress in 2023 and 2024 note tabs for each container below.

Access to Care Fund

For the priority area of Chronic Disease Prevention, see Progress in 2023 and 2024 notes tab for each link below. 

2023 CHIP Food as Prescription 

2023 CHIP Food Security Ecosystem

2023 CHIP Tobacco Free Policies

For the priority area of Mental Health, see Progress in 2023 and 2024 notes tab for each link below. 

2023 CHIP Mecklenburg County Behavioral Health Strategic Plan

For the priority area of Violence Prevention see Progress in 2023 and 2024 note tabs for each container below.

2023 CHIP The Way Forward Violence Prevention Plan

2020CHIP Alternatives to Violence: Violence Interruption (Cure Violence Model)

2023 CHIP Multi-Media Violence Prevention Communications & Gun Lock Distribution

Click here to view a printable version of the 2024 SOTCH report. 

Mecklenburg County Leading Causes of Death (2023)

Causes of Death by Race (2023)

Causes of Death by Age Group (2023)

Top 3 leading causes of death in Mecklenburg County by age group. 

Data Source: NC SCHS, Mecklenburg County Vital Statistics 

Key Mortality Trends 

COVID-19 Decline in Mortality Ranking

• COVID-19 is no longer among the county’s 10 leading causes of death (LCD), falling to 13th place.

• COVID-19 deaths have dramatically declined, from over 600 deaths in 2020 to 93 deaths in 2023.

Suicide Rises to 9th Leading Cause of Death

• Suicide now ranks as the 9th leading cause of death, partly due to the decline in COVID-19’s ranking.

• Suicide deaths increased from 110 in 2022 to 126 in 2023.

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–24 and 25–44.

Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis Now a Top 10 Cause of Death

• Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis has become the 10th leading cause of death in the county.

• Mortality rates have increased from 90 deaths (8.2 per 100,000) in 2018 to 125 deaths (10.7 per 100,000) in 2023 (CDC Wonder data).

Shifts in Leading Causes of Death by Gender

• Women: With COVID-19 no longer in the top 10, unintentional injuries have now entered the top 5 leading causes of death for women.

• Men: Diabetes has become one of the top 5 leading causes of death among men.

Community Overview 

• Mecklenburg County's population has grown to 1,163,701 residents, making it the second-largest county in the state after Wake County (1,190,275 residents).
• The Hispanic population has increased to 16% (185,549 residents), up from 13% (146,710 residents) in 2020.
• Severe housing cost burden is a growing concern, with 1 in 4 renters (25%) spending 50% or more of their household income on rent.

Rising Overdose Death

• Overdose deaths among Black and Hispanic residents in Mecklenburg County have increased by 20% since 2019, compared to a 15% increase among White residents.
• Fentanyl contamination in cocaine and counterfeit pills is a major contributing factor to these disparities.

Resurgence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 

• Immunization rates declined increasing the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and mumps.
• Reports for pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella are higher than three years prior.
• A significant increase in measles cases occurred from 2023 to 2024. Measles was considered eliminated in the U.S.
• Most index cases originate from international travel, but the disease can spread rapidly among unvaccinated and immunocompromised individuals.
• The combination of declining vaccine uptake and increased global travel underscores the need for enhanced surveillance, heightened clinical awareness, and rapid response strategies to prevent outbreaks.

New Initiatives

Live Well Steering Committee: The committee connects systems partners representing local public health, health systems, federally qualified health centers, academic partners, and nonprofits united to engage in ongoing community health assessment, planning, and improvement activities.

Community Health Worker Expansion: MCPH established a new partnership with the Faith and Health Latino Coalition through the Promotoras de Salud Program. This collaboration brings on board 10 Health Promoters to expand engagement with Latino communities promoting available services and resources including referral pathways to free and low-cost clinics, providing assistance at community events, and offering health education.