The 2024 State of the County Health (SOTCH) Report offers an update on the current health status of Stokes County residents. This report provides essential health information that is designed to complement the 2026 Community Health Assessment (CHA). The CHA is conducted every four years and involves a thorough analysis of the overall health status of the county. The primary priorities identified in the 2021 Community Health Assessment are as follows:  
1. Substance Use / Mental Health  
2. Chronic Illness  
3. Healthy Eating / Exercise

Substance Use/Mental Health

• Stokes County Health Department partnered with SCOPE program (Stokes County Opioid Prevention Effort program) and Community Paramedics to collaborate together on enhancing awareness of Substance use and prevention by distributing/educating and training citizens on Naloxone administration. Emergency Department Overdose visits decline 33 YTD, compared to 61 Jan-Aug 2023. 

• Stokes County Community Paramedic Program has been serving Stokes County since 2019. We pride ourselves in serving the community in an always evolving higher capacity by connecting resources and educating the public, while working alongside as a support to Emergency Medical Services personnel. Our program has 3 full-time Community Paramedic positions that offer community coverage 24/7.

  The Stokes County Community Paramedic Program bridges the gap with substance use and mental health to include assistance into Detox and Rehabilitation centers, inpatient and outpatient treatment centers as well as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). We can offer treatment plans to assist through withdrawal symptoms if requirements are met until further assistance is available. We can connect with longer term recovery options.

The Stokes County Health Department collaborated with Dr. Richard Zenn, Chief Medical Officer for Vaya Health, to host a provider and staff education meeting. This session focused on enhancing understanding of the patient experience, providing a foundational overview of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and offering guidance on effective communication strategies for patient interactions.

Chronic Disease 

•  QuitlineNC      
• Catch My Breath-Catch My Breath is an evidence-based youth vaping prevention program. CATCH My Breath employs a peer-led teaching approach that empowers students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions regarding e-cigarettes and to resist social pressure to vape. Developed in collaboration with tobacco prevention researchers, practitioners, and a youth advisory board, it is the only school-based vaping prevention program demonstrated to effectively reduce the likelihood of vaping among youth.
  • Insight Human Services has partnered with Stokes County Schools to initiate the CATCH My Breath Program for children aged ________________. 

Healthy Eating and Exercise 

• Air Fryer class-Stokes County Cooperative Extension partnered with King Senior Center to offer a three hour hands-on class to educate seniors on how to cook healthy recipes using the air fryer. A total of twelve people from King attended the class on March 24, 2024 another 12 attended the class on May 13, 2024. A total of nine people attended the event at the Sandy Ridge Fire Department Community Center on June18, 2024. 
• NC State University Snap-Ed 2nd Grade Steps to Health program-Stokes County Schools do not teach in-depth healthy lifestyle lessons, so that is where Stokes County Cooperative Extension and Stokes County 4-H come in to help. For spring of 2024, Stokes County 4-H have offered the program to all elementary schools to gauge interest. Savannah Meyers, Family and Consumer Science Agent and Taylor Harman, 4-H Agent partnered with 10 teachers to provide the NCSU Snap-Ed 2nd Grade Steps to Health program at five elementary schools. The program consist of nine 45-minute lessons where you are learning about the five food groups, staying hydrated, being active, and eating healthy foods. Stokes County Cooperative Extension and 4-H has seen an increase of participation with this particular program from two schools to now five schools, and anywhere from 45 youth to 180 youth. Youth are learning concepts such as healthy lifestyles by understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods, being active, and staying hydrated. 
• The Stokes Extension Master Gardener Volunteers- Supported several gardens over the years, and are currently focusing efforts on the Danbury Garden. The Agricultural Building in Danbury has always featured a demonstration garden. In 2018, they renovated garden beds, and subsequently added deer fencing in 2019, as well as additional new beds in 2019 and 2023. In 2022 and 2023, they implemented landscape cloth and irrigation sytems with North Stokes High School Agriculture groups assistance. The produce harvested from the garden is utilzed by the Extension for cooking classes aimed at both youth and adults, with any surplus being donated to local food banks. Over 115 pounds of food was donated in 2024 to local food banks. 

Awaiting for new data. 

Vaping in Youth

Increase in Vaping, involving school aged population continues.

Respiratory TRIO Illness

Increase in respiratory illnesses COVID-19, RSV, Influenza.

Homelessness

Homelessness numbers continue to rise.

New community initiatives for 2024 as follows: 

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor- WIC actively promotes breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant nutrition, except in cases where medical contraindications exist. All WIC staff are trained to advocate for breastfeeding and provide crucial support to facilitate successful outcomes. Our team is present at the Stokes County Health Department to offer encouragement, assistance, and comprehensive information about breastfeeding to both expectant and nursing mothers.

Women, Infant and Children (WIC)- The food benefit packages have been increased, and the farmers market has been discontinued due to underutilization of the benefits. As a result, the funds have been reallocated to other areas. Additionally, WIC has launched the MYNCWIC    https://myncwic.ncdhhs.gov/portal  Portal to enhance the efficiency of documentation, provide answers to health-related questions, facilitate appointment requests, and improve communication with WIC clinics. 

Court system added ARC- Accountability and Recovery Court Coordinator: This role entails intensive case management for individuals involved in a specialized court program that focuses on addressing substance abuse issues. The Coordinator will work closely with treatment providers, law enforcement, the court system, and various stakeholders to monitor participant progress, offer support, and ensure adherence to treatment plans and court orders. Additionally, this position serves as a liaison between the court and the recovery community, promoting successful rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rate.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

SCOPE (Stokes County Opioid Prevention Effort) Program, initiated in July 2024, has employed a peer support specialist to enhance our outreach initiatives. We are committed to offering harm reduction resources and services to residents, businesses, and local blessing boxes in Stokes County. Our efforts have resulted in improved availability and access to Naloxone for individuals at risk of opioid overdose. Additionally, we provide Naloxone and CPR training to community members. To further engage individuals who use substances and to reduce stigma, SCOPE is planning to introduce a series of community events.

Scope Program and Peer Support Specialist partnered with Shepherd's House in Mt. Airy to distribute shelter bags for the homeless and collect data.                                                                                                                                   

Child passenger safety: The Stokes County Health Department has collaborated with the Safe Kids Northwest Piedmont Coalition and BuckleUpNC.org to establish a new permanent checking station aimed at enhancing child passenger safety and ensuring proper car seat usage.

Underserved Children/Families Program: The Stokes County Health Department organized a health and wellness fair for underserved children of school age. The event featured partnerships with local organizations, offering complimentary haircuts, a hotdog meal, Kona Ice, and backpacks filled with school supplies.

NCDOT: Stokes County Health Department partnered with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and was approved for the 2024 NCDOT Bicycle Helmet Initiative. Stokes County Health Department was granted 100 helmets. Stokes County Health Department educated and empowered our community on helmet safety, engaging with local law enforcement to teach traffic rules and road regulations. The local Sheriff's Department participated by providing the D.A.R.E. vehicle and examples of street drugs. Additionally, community paramedics delivered essential education on Narcan. We are pleased to report that local agencies have expressed interest in collaborating with the Stokes County Health Department to organize additional bike rodeos in the upcoming year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Vaccination Initiative: To address influenza, the clinical staff of the Stokes County Health Department conducted multiple flu clinics in rural areas and townships, in addition to providing vaccinations for homebound individuals. These efforts also included evening clinics, with the overall goal of ensuring that all residents of Stokes County had access to flu vaccinations. The flu vaccination program commenced in October 2024.

Operation Medicine Drop: Operation Medicine Drop is a safe way to get rid of unwanted medications, which in turn helps prevent accidental poisonings and drug abuse and protects water quality. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them away creates safety and health hazards.                                                                                            

Crisis Intervention Team
This is a training program developed to help first responders react appropriately to situations involving mental illness or developmental disability.
Master Chaplain - Rick Hughes

Aging and adult services

The Stokes County Health Department has established a partnership with the Diaper Bank of North Carolina to provide essential products to underserved communities. While diapers may not occupy much of our thoughts, they can become a significant source of stress, guilt, and desperation for parents, grandparents, or caregivers who do not have an adequate supply. Public assistance programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, do not cover the purchase of diapers. This often forces families to make challenging choices between buying diapers and other essential items due to their limited resources. For families in need, access to diapers can make a meaningful difference.