How would we experience improved physical activity, healthy eating, and quality healthcare in our community?

• Physical activity

  • Emphasis on physical activity; community is more physically active

  • Increasing mobility

  • Active lifestyles

  • Less screen time

  • Regular physical exercise

• Decreased barriers

  • Access to care/access to nutritional services

  • Access to information

• Socioeconomics 

  • Affordable housing

• Built environment

  • More resources for more people to walk, outdoor recreation options

  • People using recreational options

• Happier community

What information led to the selection of this health issue and related result?

The Healthy Haywood Coalition and Wellness Action Group received Community Health Assessment data. Both groups discussed the relevance, impact, and feasibility around obesity, specifically considering weight, physical activity, chronic disease, nutrition, economic (poverty), insurance/access to care and stress data. The community members in attendance then unanimously voted to move forward with the obesity priority as a result of evaluating the primary and secondary community health data. This is a continuation from previous years’ health priorities.

• Weight

  • Adult overweight/obesity- 72% (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Adult healthy weight- 26.3% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Child overweight/obesity (ages 2-18)- 29.9% (Eat Smart, Move More, 2017)

  • Challenges to accessing affordable food: ‘Foods found at convenience stores and ‘dollar’ stores in less populated geographic areas tend to be highly processed, high in sodium & sugar, etc.’  -Community Leader (Online Key Informant Survey-WNCHN, 2021)

• Physical activity

  • No past-month leisure-time physical activity- 21.7% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Meeting physical activity recommendations- 22.2% (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Strengthening activity- 31.7% (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Qualities of a healthy community: ‘Access to free or low-cost healthy activities, such as walking trails, community parks, etc.’  -Community Leader (OKIS-WNCHN, 2021)

• Chronic disease

  • Diabetes- 18.6% (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Pre-diabetes- 2.9% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Heart Disease- 10.9% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • High Blood Pressure- 40.2% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • High Cholesterol- 31.8% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

• Nutrition 

  • Fruit and Vegetable intake (five or more daily servings)- 5.1%  (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP) participation- 8,930 individuals (UNC-CH Jordan Institute for Families, 2021)

  • Free/reduced lunch participation- 7,131 (average daily membership) (NC Department of Public Instruction, 2021)

  • Food Insecurity- 18.9% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Access to nutritional/healthy food- 23% have difficulty buying fresh produce (WNC Health Network, 2015)

  • Strengths- ‘The amazing network of people who ensure that food is consistently available.  During COVID the flexibility and creativity that included food being delivered to homes without transportation, strong partnerships to move food to reduce waste.’  -Community Leader (OKIS-WNCHN, 2021)

• Economics: Poverty (2015-2019 estimate) (US Census Bureau, 2021)

  • Total Population (~60,256) 

    • 8,087 residents below poverty [13.4%] 

  • Children under 18 (~10,743)

    • 2,423 residents below poverty [22.6%] (down)

  • Children under 5 (~2,962)

    • 2,962 residents below poverty [33.4%] (up)

  • Populations impacted- ‘Low income, working-class and historically marginalized communities’ and ‘Older adults on fixed incomes and families with low income jobs or multiple jobs.’  -Community Leader (OKIS-WNCHN, 2021)

• Insurance/access to care

  • No health insurance coverage- 20.2% (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Lost health insurance during pandemic- 12.1% (WNC Health Network, 2021) (point-in-time)

  • Qualities of a healthy community: Ability to see a provider when needed—insurance and free/reduced cost clinics, pop-up free clinics including dental/vision clinics.’  -Community Leader (OKIS-WNCHN, 2021)

• Stress

  • Typical day is extremely/very stressful- 12.0% (decrease) (WNC Health Network, 2021)

  • Confident in ability to manage stress- 87.3% (point-in-time) (WNC Health Network, 2021)