All Yancey County priorities are addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Click on the links below and see Progress Made in 2023 section for more information.

For the priority area Behavioral Health see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

• Drug Safety Initiatives 
• Community Paramedic Program 
• Appalachian Youth to Youth

For the priority area Healthy Living Accross the Lifespan see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

•  A Matter of Balance 
• Sizzlin' Summer Series 
• Healthy Living Education

For the priority area Food Security and Access to Food see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

• Reconciliation House Food Pantry
• Summer Food Program 
• Harvest Share

There were no significant changes in morbidity and mortality to report for 2023.

• Primary care options have become limited due to a decrease in provider availability
• Housing and rent prices have become exponentially higher
• An increase in population has created a housing crisis
• Two new stores have opened that market vapes and other harmful recreational substances
• The cost of food is continously rising
• A volunteer shortage is creating stress on food delivery programs like Meals on Wheels
• STD cases, particularly Chlamydia and Syphillis, are rapidly rising
• A notable increase of intensity and frequency of respiratory illnesses such as strep, flu A & B, and Covid-19
• Yancey County DSS is suffering from a staffing shortage
• The number of children in foster care has risen with a lack of available foster home placements
• Transportation issues; limited hours available for residents
• An increase in mental health issues among all ages of the community
• Substance abuse arrests are at an all time high;EMS are seeing overdose patients need 6+ doses of narcan for reversal. 
• Xyzlazine, a newer substance, has surfaced in our community.

New Initiatives and Activities

• A community learning process led by local government and community based public health organizations took place to provide guidance on the usage of funds for the Opioid settlement. The website link to the report is here: pathwnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mitchell-Yancey-Community-Learning-Process-around-substance-use-Feb-2024-full-report.pdf
• A new free series of communtiy clinics began through PATH providing alternative services such as acupuncture, massage, and other modalities.
• Renovation planning on the Kid Mountain playground has begun and will continue through 2024.
• A new organization called THRIVE Appalachia! emerged and is offering paid apprenticeships for youth ages 12-18.
• The former Suicide Prevention and Mental Health group was re-named "Piece of Mind" in 2023 and continues to combat mental health issues and prevention of suicide.
• A postpartum and newborn home visit program was launched by Yancey County Health Department.
• Yancey County Government began construction on a transportation building to be completed in 2024.
• The Yancey County Government finished construction on a new covered location for the Yancey County Farmer's Market and will be open in April 2024.

Paused Initiatives and Activities: 

• At the end of 2023, a matter of balance and tai chi for older adults classes were paused due to change of staff. 

Discontinued Initiatives and Activities:

• No discontinued activities or initiatives