The "Story Behind the Measure" helps us understand the causes and forces at that work that explain the data behind the 'number of adult participants who indicated they consume less sodium in their diet' and the resources that Haywood County Cooperative Extension plans to commit to address the health issue.  Cooperative Extension plans, promotes, administers, and evaluates the nutrition education programs.  

What's Helping What We Do? These are the positive forces at work in our nutrition education program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Skilled facilitators
• Access to evidence-based programs 
• Adequate training space

What's Hurting What We Do? These are the negative forces at work in our nutrition education program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Food insecurity and other barriers accessing healthy foods- In 2021, nearly 19% of the county's adults reported experiencing food insecurity (either running out of food at least once in the past year or worried about this happening) (WNC Health Network, 2021).  
• Difficulty in committing time to attending programs 
• Transportation barriers 
• Increased cost of food 
• Individuals experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for assistance programs.