The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand why the data on the percent of adults with no leisure-time physical actvity is the way that it is in 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.

• Beautiful natural resources and temperate weather
• Several hiking trails and local paths for outdoor leisure time
• After school activities, sports leagues, etc.
• Access to pickleball and tennis courts, and track at Mountain Heritage High School
• Cane River Park 
• Ray-Cort Park
• Outdoor Fitness Equipment
• Blue Ridge Fitness Center & Small Town Fitness offer classes to a wide variety of ages
• Blue Ridge Fitness Center offers childcare while you work out
• Sidewalk trail from Mountain Heritage High School to East Yancey Middle School
• PATH summer programs
• Two swimming pools for recreation
• Bike lane through town
• Senior Center has multiple activities provided
• Churches have various events and opportunities
• Increased communication between an individual's health providers
• Community paramedic
• YMCA classes in Spruce Pine 3 times per week
• Tai Chi for Arthritis
• Matter of Balance classes at Yancey Library
• Sizzlin' Summer Series
• 4-H programs
• Cougar Fit Club at Mountain Heritage High School
• Burnsville Fit Families 5K and the 5K Your Way training plan
• Yoga classes at Rec House and the Senior Center
• Senior baseball team

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

• Nice weather for outdoor activity is limited in our area due to seasonal changes
• Lack of winter activities
• No YMCA in Yancey County, have to drive to Mitchell or Avery counties
• Limited flat spaces to walk/run for older adults/ those with limited mobility
• Lack of knowledge about local hiking trails
• Lack of shaded walking trails and nature trails that are not hiking trails
• Financial barriers create difficulty joining local fitness centers
• Chronic pain and diseases that keep individuals from being physically active
• Lack of knowledge in the community about local health programs
• People have a lack of time or limited time to exercise, no work/life balance
• Limited Views of "Physical Activity"
• Lack of confidence to exercise, fear of embarrassment, etc.
• Lack of knowledge of dementia, in the community and in the medical field
• COVID-19
• Underutilization of the Yancey Senior Center
• Lack of safe places to ride bikes
• Transportation to public events/classes
• Financial resources to purchase fitness equipment or athletic clothing/shoes
• No open adult day care
• Lack of group classes/events for non-dominant affinity groups (bigger bodies, chronic pain, recovery groups, etc.)

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

• Public Schools
• Faith Communities
• Yancey County Parks & Recreation
• Local Fitness Centers
• Senior Center
• Primary Care Providers
• Behavioral Health Providers
• Partners Aligned Towards Health (PATH)
• NC Cooperative Extension
• High Country Agency on Aging
• Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP)
• Toe River Arts Council
• Penland School of Arts
• Town of Burnsville
• Yancey County Government
• Meridian Health & Wellness Center
• Fitness Instructors
• Community Health Workers
• US Forest Service
• Center for Pioneer Life
• Celo Community
• Mayland Community College
• NC High Peaks
• Mitchell YMCA
• Dementia Caregivers and friends
• RHA

The following actions have been identified by the Healthy Yancey coalition and community members as ideas for what can work for our community to make a difference on Healthy Living Across the Lifespan.

Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Partners These are actions and approaches that our partners think can make a difference on Healthy Living Across the Lifespan.

• Education about at-home options for activities
• Affordable at-home workout equipment
• Senior-focused classes at Blue Ridge Fitness Center
• Free entrance days to the Blue Ridge Fitness Center
• Grant funding
• Free events, low cost events, scholarships/sponsorships
• Education about health promoting behaviors in schools
• Provide incentives from employers to employees to stay healthy
• Affordable child care or available elder care that would allow parents/caregivers to participate in physical activities
• Indoor physical activity options for winter months
• Mental health resources
• "Mom and me" type fitness classes
• Bird walks with a naturalist, wildflower walks
• External incentives to exercise

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 Healthy Living Across the Lifespan.

• Adult public sports teams
• Cougar Fit Club at Mountain Heritage High School
• Senior Center offerings
• Public pool/free pool days where entrance fee is waived
• Collaboration across agencies to implement programs such as the Sizzlin' Summer Series
• Clean public spaces
• 5K/biking events
• Summer Resource Guide
• Healthy Kids Day
• Dual membership collaboration between Blue Ridge Fitness Center and YMCA WNC
• Community gardens

Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on Healthy Living Across the Lifespan.