Progress in our most recent CHIPs were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff time was reallocated to assist with COVID efforts within the ARHS region. Health Education staff initially shifted their focus to providing community education through the ARHS Hotline, social media, news media outlets, and virtual town hall presentations. As the pandemic evolved staff assisted with testing events and contact tracing efforts. 

While COVID-19 took center stage during 2020, ARHS continued to work with our partner organizations and community members to provide education and resources related to chronic disease prevention, healthy eating, physical activity. preconception health, mental health and substance misuse, and tobacco cessation. ARHS was able to increase our social media profile and presence to provide continued education for our community members. Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms were used throughout the region to conduct educational sessions as needed. 

Successes included:

• Presentation regarding tobacco/vaping for new and expecting moms given at Hertford County Health Department 
• Presentation regarding STI Prevention/ Family Planning/ Preconception Health for new and expecting moms given at Hertford County Health Department
• Hertford County Infant Mortality Task Force Partnered with March of Dimes to provide provider trainings on preconception health related topics
• Healthy Beginnings Program Implementation 
• Hertford County Child Passenger Safety Program distributed and Installed a total of 41 car seats in 2020. Every car seat install included child passenger safety education for parents. 
• Breast Health presentation provided to local Breast Cancer Support Group 
• NC Quitline Toolkits distributed to four providers in the Hertford County area
• Promoted Farmers Market initiatives such as the Fresh Bucks Program 

Population:  23,677

Land Area:  353.06 sq. miles

Median Household Income:  $41,028

Poverty:  23%

COVID-19 Data as of December 31, 2020

According to the 2020 County Health Rankings in Hertford County,

• the prevalence of adult obesity is higher than the State rate. (H - 47%, NC - 31%)
• the prevalence of diabetes is higher than the State rate. (H - 22%, NC - 11%)
• the rate of food insecurity is higher than the State rate. (H - 22%, NC - 14%)
• the infant mortality rate is significantly higher than the State rate (H - 17%, NC - 7%) 

References:

NC State Center for Health Statistics
Leading causes of death NC and County specific: 2014-2018
Age Adjusted Death Rates per 100,000 Population

County Demographics: US Census Bureau Quick Facts

2020 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps

*Only rates higher than state rate are included

​​​​​​The following emerging issues are due to the COVID-19 Pandemic:

• Access to primary care and routine medical visits 
• High unemployment
• Increased food insecurity
• Access to health and wellness opportunities
• Mental Health/Social Isolation
• Access to medications
• Inequities to accessing care and services

Several initiatives listed in our CHIPs that were paused in 2020 include: 

• Child Passenger Safety Program
• Preconception Peer Educator Program Training