The "Story Behind the Curve" helps to explain the reason why the numbers are high for Acute Respiratory Infections within our community. When we understand the root causes of our community problems, we have a better chance of finding the right solutions, together.

What's Helping? These are the positive forces at work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Positive cases quarantining
• Washing hands properly
• Social distancing
• Immunity improvement
• Vaccinations
• Tobacco Cessation Program

What's Hurting? These are the negative forces at work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

• Air quality
• Lack of physical activity
• Chronic illness
• Asthma
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Smoking
• Vaping
• Lack of education

Partners in our Community Health Improvement Process: 

• Clay County Senior Center
• Community Paramedic
• Clay County School System
• Clay County Transportation
• Community for Students
• WNC Healthy Impact

Partners with a Role in Helping Our Community Do Better on This Issue:

• Chatuge Family Practice
• County Leadership
• Immunization Division
• Clay County Senior Center
• Carolina Community Tracing
• Local and State Laboratory
• Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital
• State Emergency Medical Service

Process for Selecting Priority Program/ Strategies

The following actions have been identified by our Clay County Health Department and community members as ideas for what can work for our community to make a difference on hospitalizations from Acute Respiratory Infections.

Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Partners These are actions and approaches that our partners think can make a difference in hospitalizations from Acute Respiratory Infections.

• Recognizing signs of respiratory distress
• Influenza, Pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines to help decrease the effects from these viruses
• Monoclonal Antibody treatment
• Early detection of an illness
• Proper use of an incentive spirometer
• Information/education on these infections

What is Currently Working in Our Community These are actions and approaches that are currently in place in our community to make a difference on hospitalizations from Acute Respiratory Infections.

• Monoclonal Antibody treatment program
• Immunization Program
• Primary Care Clinics flexibility to see patients within their cars
• Clinics that have the supplies to test patients
• Clinics that offer Chest X-rays at a reasonable cost
• Quick turn around with results from patient specimens

Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on hospitalizations from Acute Respiratory Infections.

What Community Members Most Affected by Acute Respiratory Infections Say These are the actions and approaches recommended by members of our community who are most affected by Acute Respiratory Infections.

• Early detection of illness is important for proper treatment
• Best prevention is properly washing your hands and improvements in nutrition
• Immunizations against all respiratory infections including pertussis.