Lee County Monitors progress on the identified priorities through these prgrams:

  Infant Mortality 

Tobacco CATCH My Breath

Safer Syringe Program

Cooking Matters

LCHD NARCAN Education 

Wellness Walks

The most notable change in leading causes of death for all ages in Lee County is the addition of "Other Unintentional injuries" to the top 5 list, coming in at number 3 with 187 deaths.  For the first and second leading causes, the data from 2015-2019 and 2017-2021 has switched with diseases of the heart (655) now leading Cancer-all sites (642).  Alzheimer's Disease has also dropped off of the top 5 list for the 2017-2021 statistics from the NC State Center for Health Statistics.

As with most suburban towns, Sanford does not see an increase in smaller, privately owned restaurants that may offer more unique and fresher menu items as more metropolitain cities will, but rather the same nationwide fast food restaurants and quick serve chain restaurants found in similar locations leaving the options for dining out limited.  Often these establishments are known for menu items that are high in sodium and calorie dense without being nutrient dense, but often are a more affordable price for many residents.  This remains a contributing factor to obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other health isues that residents of many towns experience.

Other Unintentional Injuries include Drug Poisoning Deaths:

  Drug Overdose Death Rate in Lee County, NC: Drug Poisoning Deaths (Total) per 100,000 population

Opioid Settlement Funds: Lee County has begun to receive the opioid settlement funds and on January 22nd the County Commissioners approved the first plan to begin spending the funds.

Fentanyl & xylazine: As we have seen in other neighboring counties, fentanyl arrests are on the rise here as well and there have been reports of xylazine in the drug supply as well.  This is concerning as we know a majority of overdose deaths in North Carolina can be attributed to fentanyl and xylazine has been shown to be resistent to naloxone.

Population growth in Lee County: From the 2010 to 2020 census grew from 57,866 to 63,285 with the 2022 estimate at 65,476 (3.5% increase from 2020 to 2022).  There are housing developments being proposed frequently and some reports estimating a 37% growth between 2022 and 2050 (https://rantnc.com/2022/04/03/here-comes-the-boom-city-county-brace-for-big-population-growth/).

Cost of living / lack of affordable housing is an ongoing issure with residents of Lee County.  Current rates if inflation (increased food prices, increased fuel and gasoline costs, interest rates, etc.) continue to affect residents.  S3 Housing / Advocacy Committee (a community partner) continues to develop means for affordable housing in Lee County.  NCCARE360, Salvation Army, CUOC (Christians United Outreach Center), and other community partners continue to assist populations in need for food assistance and other needs.  The Lee County Health Department and Social Services offer qualifying residents assistance with utility bills.  

Vape shops are abundant although it is difficult to determine the number of retail establishments that sell tobacco/vape/e-cigarettes products as a seperate license is not require within the state of North Carolina.  

The following programs were discontinued in 2022:

  Taste of the Season

  LCHD Clinic: Behavioral Health Screening Program

Family-to-Family (not paused or discontinued, but based on interest)