All Madison County priorities are addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Click on the links below for Progress Made in 2023.

For the priority area Heathy Eating, Healthy Weight and Diabetes see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

• HEAL Walk with Ease 
• HEAL Cooking Matters 
• HEAL Diabetes Education Videos 
• View From Here - Madison County

For the priority area Substance Use/Mental Health see Prograss in 2023 note tabs for each program below. 

• Substance Use Medication for Substance Use Disorder (MAT) A 
• Substance Use Teen Intervene
• View From Here - Madison County

There are no notable changes in morbidity and mortality to report for 2023.

These are the new or emerging issues in our community in 2023 that were not identified as priorities in our CHA.

• Rapid population growth/Inadequate infrastructure to support growing population
• Increase in development resulting in environmental and economic threat (air pollution, traffic, etc.)
• Environmental concerns related to salt treatment of highways in winter and use of weed killer in summer
• Increasing social/Economic inequality/income gaps
• Low-wage service-industry jobs
• Rising housing costs/Lack of affordable housing options/Cost burdened households
• Aging and substandard housing stock/Overcrowded housing conditions
• Critically low housing vacancy rates/Unused housing vouchers
• Lack of affordable, full time, year round, licensed child care (especially for infants and toddlers)
• Decrease in trust of public health
• Post Covid-19 recovery/continued high school absenteeism rates 
• Increase in seasonal respiratory illness (Covid-19, RSV, Flu)
• Increase in Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis
• Pediatric dental care especially those accepting Medicaid
• Increase in fentanyl overdose deaths
• Potential access to health care issues due to decrease in providers
• More students with mental health challenges in need of therapy and medications
• Students in need of food, clothing, eye exams/glasses, dental and health services

The following are new initiatives or changes in our community in 2023:

• Family and Consumer Science agent devoted to just Madison County
• Med Instead of Meds classes
• Little Learning Library through Madison County Smart Start for families/community and child care programs
• Two child care expansion grants awarded 
• Mental Health Awareness Training grant and classes
• Teen Intervene expanded to elementary school
• Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity joined forces with Madison County Habitat for Humanity to address housing crisis
• Expansion of water and sewer infrastructure along highway 213
• Pickleball facilities at Mars Hill Town Park
• Improvements/grants/developments at Bailey Mountain Preserve
• View From Here Social Media Campaign