All Madison County priorities are addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Click on the links below for Progress Made in 2022.

For the priority area Heathy Eating, Healthy Weight and Diabetes see progress tabs for each program below.

HEAL Walk with Ease 

HEAL Cooking Matters 

HEAL Diabetes Education Videos 

For the priority area Substance Use/Mental Health see prograss tabs for each program below. 

Substance Use Medication for Substance Use Disorder (MAT) A 

Substance Use Teen Intervene

The following represent significant morbidity and mortality changes in our community.

Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard | NCDHHS

Madison County's rate of overdose deaths in 2020 was at a record high for the county at 46 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents. This rate is significantly higher than the NC rate in the same year, 31.5 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents. However, there were 4 overdose deaths in Madison County in 2021 lowering the rate to 18.4 per 100,000 residents in comparison to the previous year where in Madison County there were 10 overdose deaths. 

Madison, North Carolina | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Madison County, according to the 2022 Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings, is positioned at 40 out of the 100 counties in North Carolina. Madison County is also represented in the higher middle range of counties (50-75%) in both the health outcomes and health factors measures.

Fifteen Leading Causes of Death

Age-Adjusted Death Rates per 100,000 Population

Standard Year = Year 2000 U.S. Population

Single 5-Year Aggregate, 2016-2020

While there are some minor fluctuations between rankings of the leading causes of death in Madison county there are no sinificant differences when compared to the previous chart covering 2015-2019. One notable difference to note on the current table is the first appearance of COVID-19 as a leading cause of death. 

These are the new or emerging issues in our community in 2022 that were not identified as priorities in our CHA.

• Affordable housing
• Long-term rental availability
• Economic inflation
• Quality childcare
• Food insecurity
• Increase in fentanyl
• Homelessness
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Vaping, involvement of K-5 population
• Transportation
• Recreation facilities
• Senior Services
• Access to care (extended hours, weekends, and urgent care needs)
• New residential developments 
• Two long term staff members retired from NC Cooperative Extension.
• Loss of two community health workers due to funding.
• The Lords Harvest mobile food delivery restructured/ended partnership with MANNA food bank.
• Covid/Flu/RSV trifecta

The following are new initiatives or changes in our community in 2022:

• Madison County Cooperative Extension  nutrition education programs
• Overdose 2 Action OD2A program
• Mental Health Awareness and Training Grant (MHAT) -health department next 4 years
• Abiding Hope has a new medical director and nurse on staff 
• Abiding Hope's jail/high school parenting classes were paused due to Covid and have not resumed.
• Healthy Living mobile market paused and upon resuming days of operation were changed- Nutrition Schedules/YMCA of WNC
• Creation of the Madison County Resource Guide with a focus on social determinants of health- Madison County Resource Guide 2022
• Community Health Workers organized multiple health fairs and vaccine clinics in remote areas of Madison County.
• HSHP and La Esperanza  staff completed Community Health Worker certification.
• In Partnership with Land of Sky Regional Council on Aging Civility training was attended by school resource officers and community members.
• In Partnership with YWCA, Racial Justice workshop was attended by community members.
• Madison County Health Department and Madison County dental center brochures now available in Spanish.
• Establishment of Health Department food pantry
• All branches of the MADISON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES established food pantries-
• Obtained Opioid planning grant
• DFC funding received for an additional five years- Drug-Free Communities Support Program
• Holler Harm Reduction obtained a permanent location
• Madison County Health Department hired a youth coordinator to work with Madison County Schools.
• Madison County Health Department established infant/child supplies and storage facility.
• Madison County Health Department partnered with Healthy Opportunities Pilot- Healthy Opportunities Pilots | NCDHHS