Every three to four years, the North Carolina Division of Public Health requires local health departments to conduct a comprehensive Community Health Assessment (CHA). During the years a CHA is not conducted, local health departments are responsible for creating a SOTCH report, also known as the State of the County Health Report. The report provides and updates on the progress made toward our priority health concerns identified in 2020 CHA. 

The SOTCH Report is developed through the Clear Impact Scorecard. Clear Impact Scorecard is a web-based tool that collects, tracks, and analyzes data to measure the impact of a specified goal while improving the performance of programs. In addition, it provides an update on the most recent mortality and morbidity data. 

Partnering in the community with numerous stakeholders, our top 2 priorities chosen are:

Tobacco

Hypertension

The Anson County Health Department (ACHD) and the local hospital, Atrium Health Anson (AHA), came together in 2020 to conduct the CHA. Atrium Health Anson is serving as the lead agency for hypertension while the Health Department is serving as lead agency for Tobacco. The prioirites chosen are aligned with the Healthy North Carolina 2030 Objectives. Data gathered for the CHA and utilized in the SOTCH report was collected from surveys, interviews, community stakeholders, key informants, and focus groups. The Anson County SOTCH report is presented to the public, local government and community stakeholders. The report is also provided at community meetings. 

Anson County Overview

Located in the North Carolina's Piedmont Region, Anson County was established in 1750. George Lord Anson (1697-1762) was a Royal Navy officer whom Anson County is named for. At one point, Anson County was one of the largest territories in the colony with borders the extended as far as the Mississippi River. Later on, those portions became Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Richmond and Union Counties. According to the 2020 Census, Anson County's population is 22,060, which is a decrease of about 6800 from the 2010 Census. Anson County's population seems to be declining each year. Anson County ranked 10 of the least healthy counties in North Carolina according to the 2022 NC County Health Rankings (Number 94 out of 100). This takes into account trends and health concerns such as substance abuse, mental health, access to care, and tobacco. 

Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is an extensive problem in Anson County. Many factors can contribute to this condition such as: Tobacco Use, Limited access to healthy food, Limited access to exercise opportunities, and sugary beverage consumption. All of these factors are included in the Healthy North Carolina 2030 Health Indicators. Atrium Health Anson is implementing a program to take a positive impact on this condition.

By utilizing and monitoring Quality Metrics at Carolinas Primary Care, Atrium Health Anson assists Anson County in reducing blood pressure levels. They also provide education and community screenings throughout the county. 

The overall blood pressure goal for Ansonians is 71% being below 140/90. Anson County's current percentage is 58.7% overall which is 12.3% away from the primary goal. See Table A.

Table A

In addition to monitoring Quality Metrics at Carolinas Primary Care, Atrium Health Anson has screened over 700 patients in the second half of 2022 in settings other than the primary care clinic. This includes open houses at schools, community health days, Anson Mobile Market, Wadesboro Safety Day, etc... These events have taken place all over the county including Morven, Ansonville, Wadesboro and Burnsville. During these events, if a potential problem is identifed and they have no current Primary Care Physician, then an appointment is made for the patient that day. 

Tobacco

Tobacco and e-cigarette use in Anson County is a major public health concern. Programs have been implemented in 2022 by Anson County Health Department to promote prevention and management of tobacco and e-cigarette use. Ansonians have been offered Catch My Breath, You Quit Two Quit, and QuitSmart. 

CATCH was offered at Anson High School in 2022. The presentations were presented to students who have been caught vaping products on campus. The presentation allowed students to learn about the dangers of vapes and to make better choices. 

You Quit Two Quit is a program for the pregnant client that consists of screening and cessation counseling. Employees at Anson County Health Department were trained in May 2022. We currently have the services available for any pregnant client that is willing to particpate. 

Quit Smart is a tobacco cessation program available to the public. It provides effective coping techniques and also incorporates new ways to use smoking medicines. This program is personalized to the individual's needs. 

Tobacco education and training information have been offered and advertised heavily in Anson County. In 2022, Anson County Health Department provided 2 educational billboards about tobacco and vaping. They both were placed on the main highway in our county where it was easily seen by drivers/passengers. Also in 2022, Anson County Health Department collaborated with the Anson County Cooperative Extension in offering tobacco/vaping information at the newly introduced Mobile Markets. With this initiative, 116 households with 236 individuals were reached with tobacco information. Numerous other health fairs/events have been attended by health department staff sharing information about tobacco/vaping and cessation.

Hypertension

Hypertension is a significant disease that can greatly impact a person's quality of life and even cause death. Hypertension is a contributor to 4 of the 10 leading causes of death in Anson County. Atrium Health Anson continues to implement strategies to support controlling high blood pressure with the ultimate goal of increasing a person's quality of life and life expectency. In 2021, 35.1% of adults in North Carolina reported they were diagnosed with hypertension by a health professional. The rate of heart disease deaths per 100,000 population in Anson County, between 2014-2018, was 226.1 and it was 158.0 for North Carolina. in 2019, heart disease caused 65 deaths in Anson County and 19,661 deaths in North Carolina.

Tobacco 

Tobacco, especially smoking and vaping, can harm almost every organ in the body. It can also increase the risk of diseases such as cancer, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, etc.... According to the 2022 County Health Rankings, smoking in the adult age group is at 24% compared to 25% in the 2021 County Health Rankings. The statewide average in this category has risen one percent from 2019 (18% to 19%). 

Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic continued to affect the health of Ansonians in 2022. Current total to date is 8,391 cases with 101 deaths. This number only includes actual reported tests not that of home test. Current death rate from Covid-19 in Anson County is 101. 

americanshealthrankings.org

ncdhhs.gov

Opportunites and resources are limited in Anson County. As across the state, the cost of living has risen dramatically which continues to contribute to the depressed economy of the county. Other significant areas of concern are high rates of STI's and teen pregnancies, lack of retail stores (including grocery stores), transportation, etc... See Table 1.0 that demonstrates the health behaviors that contribute to the overall health factor ranking in Anson County and North Carolina in 2022. See Table 2.0 that demonstrates additional health behaviors that are not included in the overall health ranking.

Table 1.0

 Table 2.0

countyhealthrankings.org

census.gov

New

In 2022, Anson County Health Department spent a significant amount of time on COVID-19 and COVID Vaccines. Although all COVID cases are no longer required to be interviewed, they still have to be tracked in the state system by the Health Department. COVID vaccines are also still available at the Health Department free of charge. 

You Quit Two Quit Training was provided to staff at Anson County Health Department in May 2022 and now is available for pregnant patients that are interested. Educational billboards on the dangers of tobacco use are still up in busy areas of the county. With restrictions easing up, more health fairs and community events are being offered that give opportunities to meet, screen and educate the public on hypertension and tobacco use. 

in 2022, Atrium Health Anson brought back the Mobile Primary Care Bus. This bus is parked in different areas of the county on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This allows patients with transportation issues an opportunity to be seen close to home. This bus provides primary visits along with health screenings. 

Paused

Currently, the CATCH program nutritonal cooking classes are paused due to the resignation of our Health Educator who was certified in this area. We believe this is a very important service to our  community and hope to return to those classes as soon as possible. 

Discontinued

No programs have been abandoned or discontinued at Anson County Health Department.