PURPOSE
The Community Health Assessment (CHA) process periodically assesses local data to understand the strengths and needs of our diverse and changing community to inform community health improvement planning, programmatic decision-making, policy development, and financial investments to improve community health outcomes. 

VISION
The Mecklenburg County Community Health Assessment aims to place data in the hands of residents, community-based organizations, and other partners, empowering them to work collectively and build on existing assets to improve structures, overcome barriers, and increase opportunities to be the healthiest community in which to live, work,
and play for all.

LEADERSHIP
Historically, every four years, Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) and a steering committee of community partners led the CHA. In 2022, MCPH joined Novant Health, Atrium Health, and One Charlotte Health Alliance to conduct a single assessment every three years. The newly implemented approach avoids duplication while satisfying all reporting and regulatory requirements for public health via the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and health care systems through the Affordable Care Act.

2022 Mecklenburg CHA Advisory Committee
The CHA Advisory Committee informed all phases of the CHA process including assessment design,
survey recruitment, community engagement activities, and data analysis. The team included representation from public health, healthcare systems, and the nonprofit sector.

• Atrium Health, Kristen Soni Manager, Department Strategy and Programs
• Atrium Health, Jennifer Snow, Associate Vice President of Community Health Strategy
• Novant Health, Lila Riley Compliance Lead, Community Engagement
• Novant Health, Ylida Roberson, Director Program Management-Population Health
• Novant Health, Robbie Doran Manager, Community Engagement
• Novant Health, Kimberly Dull Director of Performance, Community Engagement and Social Determinants of Health
• Novant Health Keiley Como Manager, Community Health Worker Program
• One Charlotte Health Alliance, Rodney Gaddy, Executive Director
• One Charlotte Health Alliance, Emily Lancucki, Operations Director
• Mecklenburg Co Public Health, Paige Bennett, Deputy Health Director
• Mecklenburg Co Public Health, Kimberly Scott Assistant Health Director, Population Health
• Mecklenburg Co Public Health, Susan Long-Marin, Epidemiology Manager
• Mecklenburg Co Public Health, Donna Smith, Epidemiologist

KEY FINDINGS

• Mecklenburg County is an area of continued growth and increasing diversity. Between 2010 and 2021, the population grew by 22%. In 2021, Non-Hispanic White residents made up 46% of the population compared to 50% in 2010. Between 2010 and 2021, the Hispanic/Latinx population had one of the largest growth rates, increasing by 30% to represent 13% of the population. Youth outnumber seniors with those under 18 years of age representing 24% of the population and those 65 years and above half that number at 11%.
• The mortality rate has increased over the past decade. COVID-19 caused a dramatic increase in 2020 and 2021 mortality rates.
• Chronic diseases account for seven of the ten leading causes of death. Heart disease and cancer are the first and second leading causes of death. Chronic conditions are associated with a higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 became the third leading cause of death.
• Injury is the leading cause of death for persons ages 1-44 years. Unintentional injury is the fourth leading cause of death. The unintentional injury mortality rate has steadily risen over the past decade, partially due to an increase in motor vehicle crashes, but mainly because of an increase in drug overdose deaths; 80% of overdose deaths are due to opioids.
• Homicide rates have risen for the past decade. Homicide is the second leading cause of death for persons ages 15-24 in 2021. Between 2015 and 2020, 50% 0f homicides in Charlotte occurred in five zip codes (28205,28206, 28208, 28215, and 28216).
• Black infants are more likely to die before their first birthday than White infants. Similar to national rates, the county’s overall infant mortality rate has decreased over the past decade. However, the Black infant mortality rate is almost three times the White infant mortality rate.
• Healthy behaviors and access to care can help prevent premature death and onset of disabilities. Over 105,000 adults had no access to health insurance in 2021. The rate of uninsured children has risen since 2016.
• Behavioral health is a growing priority for youth and adults. One in five Mecklenburg adults report being diagnosed with depression; one in five Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school students reports seriously considering suicide in the past year.
• Affordable Housing was the most frequently reported Quality of Life concern among residents surveyed. Thirteen percent of households experience severe housing burden, spending greater than 50% of their income on housing.

NEXT STEPS
Findings from the CHA inform strategic planning and collaborative community action to address priority issues. The next step in the CHA process is the development of Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). CHIPs identify existing assets to inform local solutions to priority issues.

The Mecklenburg County CHIP process begins with Meck Design in June 2023. Meck Design is an interactive day of learning, sharing, and planning to strengthen partnerships and enhance local synergy surrounding community health improvement goals. Completed plans will be submitted to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health for review with plans to launch implementation September 2023.
 

Priorities 

Consideration of community input and health indicator data resulted in the top four Mecklenburg County priority health issues:

Access to Care

Access to care refers to an individual’s ability to access and respond appropriately to health care services.

Chronic Disease Prevention

Nationally and locally, chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke, are leading causes of premature death and disability.

Mental Health

Mental health includes an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. At every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood, mental health plays an important role in our overall health.

Violence Prevention

Violence is a serious problem affecting all age ranges, and types of people causing death, injury, disability, and emotional health problems that devastate our community. Across the nation, US cities and towns are witnessing increases in violent acts, particularly those perpetuated by firearms.