HNC 2030 Scorecard: Lee County 2022-2025
Summary
The Lee County’s Health Department seeks to utilize the collaborative strength of many community partners to identify and address health and quality of life issues in Lee County.
Community Partners
Community partners include, but are not imited to: Local hospitals and medical/healthcare facilities, behavioral healthcare providers, religious organizations and other charitable groups which offer food services and shelter among many other services and items, the the Lee County Department of Social Services, Lee County Board of Commissioners, local law enforcement, and many more.
Many partnerships are supported by the LCHD Community Health Education and Promotion (CHEP) program who works closely in partnership with the community stakeholders and population.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Lee County’s Community Health Education and Promotion (CHEP) program is to enable lifelong learning for healthy lifestyles by empowering all Lee County citizens with education, environmental supports, and programming.
SERVICES PROVIDED
- Community Health Assessment and Evaluation
- Health Education Presentations
- Health Data collection, Analysis, and Interpretation
- Community Health and Resource Fairs
- Community Collaboratives
- Educational Trainings and Programs
- Resource Referrals by United Way’s NCCARE360 Platform
EXPERTISE AVAILABLE
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity
- Chronic Disease Prevention
- Health Department Services
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Healthy Aging and Elder Health
- Breastfeeding Support and Infant Feeding
- Infant Safe Sleep Practices
- Sexual Health and Teen Pregnancy Prevention
- Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention
- Arising Public Health Concerns
- Health Research, Data Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation
- Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change
- Grant Writing
- Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation
The importance of Scorecard/Clear Impact is to track the performance of our programs, measure the impact, and report the success of our mission to community stakeholders, increase transparency, inspire confidence with funders and motivate partners and volunteers.
Executive Summary
Introduction and Vision Statement
The Community Health Needs Assessment identifies priority health concerns of Lee County, as well as gives insight into the current assets that are in place throughout the county. The surveys include questions about community perceptions concerning safety, community health interests, education, poverty, income, employment, mental health, access to care, housing, and more. For 2022, the Lee County Health Department partnered with long-term partner LeeCAN, and new partner with Central Carolina Hospital.
Lee County Health Department Mission: Promoting better health and a safe environment for all Lee County residents.
Since its origins in 1907, Lee County has grown to house almost 64,000 residents. The Lee County Health Department is based in the county seat, Sanford, North Carolina. Over the years, the department has included four divisions to cover community needs: clinical services, environmental health, animal services, and community health education and promotion. Each of these serve county residents in some way through daily duties and community event engagement.
Central Carolina Hospital Mission: Making Communities Healthier®
With a growing population in Lee County and surrounding areas, Central Carolina hospital has grown to include 137- bed acute care and over 600 employees, including over 100 physicians. Central Carolina provides plenty of specialties including cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, general surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, hospitalist services, nephrology, hematology, urology, podiatry, pulmonary medicine, and wound care.
Lee Community Action Network (LeeCAN) Mission: Increase awareness and resources to effectively address health and safety issues in Lee County through a collaborative community effort.
LeeCAN was established in 1997 through the Healthy Carolinians program. Though Health Carolinians no longer exists, LeeCAN continues to engage with the community to address health priorities.
Leadership, Partnerships, and Collaborative Process
The 2022 Community Health Assessment is a community-driven and shared process. Leadership roles of the community health needs assessment is based on collaborative partnership between Lee County Health Department, LeeCAN, Central Carolina Hospital, and local community collaborators from El Vinculo, El Refugio, Lee County Public libraries, Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, and McSwain Center. Primary roles of partnerships are to aid with data collection, analysis, and interpretation of community surveys.
Contracted Services
Central Carolina Hospital contracted Stratasan to compile and analyze the data gathered from the community health surveys. Stratasan used primary data collected from community surveys and focus groups to produce analysis.
Theoretical Framework and Model
Lee County followed guidelines from the North Carolina Division of Public Health eight-phase community health assessment process.
- Establish CHNA/CHA Leadership Team: The Community Health Assessment team represents members from health agencies, local partners, and the Spanish community.
- Collect primary data: Community Survey and Focus Groups
- Collect secondary data: Gather data from local, state, and national-level sources.
- Analyze and interpret county-level data: Analyze primary data using contracted services from Stratasan. Review raw data and analysis with Health Department, LeeCAN, and Central Carolina hospital.
- Determine health priorities: Reflect on data from primary and secondary data sources. Select health issues with highest prevalence in the county and more frequently mentioned.
- Create CHA/CHNA document.
- Disseminate CHA/CHNA document: Distribute the Community Health Assessment findings through main public health website, presentations to the Board of Health, and disseminating to local media outlets.
- Develop Community Health Improvement Plans: Create action plans to address health priorities identified in the CHA/CHNA and how progress will be measured in the short- and long-term.
Key Findings and Health Priorities
Results from the community survey and focus groups shared primary concern over the following health outcomes:
Mental Health Substance Use and Misuse Healthy Eating, Active Living Social Determinants of Health
Next Steps
The Community Health Assessment is complete and health priorities are identified. The next phase involves creating Community Health Improvement Plans for each primary health concern. Discussions will take place among the Community Health Education and Promotion division of the Lee County Health Department and community organizations to initiate evidenced-based health activities and programming that address the identified health concerns. Improvement plans will be developed and submitted to the state by September 2023.
To view the entire 2022 Community Health Assessment for Lee County - please visit:
Priorities
Results from the community survey and focus groups shared primary concern over the following health outcomes:
Mental Health Substance Use and Misuse Healthy Eating, Active Living Social Determinants of Health
Partners
Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) hosted their first annual employee Breast Cancer Walk as part of October's designation of Breast Cancer Awarenss Month, and invited the LCHD to participate. This event had an attendance of 29 people including four men. The LCHD supplied education and educational materials on all usual programs with the additions of Breast Cancer/Cervical Cancer Program (BCCCP) materials. Although not part of the LCHD CHIP or CHA, BCCCP is part of a healthy community healthy community efforts, and is often associated with nutrition, obesity, and physical activity.
The Lee County Enrichment Center serves the senoir populaton. LCHD partners with them for many health and wellness promotions. Newly added partnership is a Diabetes Support Group in which the LCHD serves as a group lead to guide the discussion as well as provide follow up information when questions are asked at sesssions that require research. First session 1/11/2023 attended by six individuals.
Why Is This Important?
"Food is a basic building block of health that affects weight, blood pressure, and countless other health outcomes. Access to healthy food is strongly influenced by where someone lives. People in rural or underserved areas of North Carolina are particularly affected by lack of access to stores where they can purchase ingredients for healthy meals” (HNC 2030, pg. 56). Limited access to healthy food has been linked to cardiovascular conditions and heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Lee County (CHA, pg. 145). Additionally, residents who participated in our Community Health Assessment focus groups mentioned food-insecurity and food-deserts as leading issues affecting the lives of youth and seniors in Lee County (CHA, pg. 46, 48). Lee County continues an upward trend of food-insecurity according to Feeding America, a leading partner in addressing this issue (https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2020/overall/north-carolina/county/lee).
Story Behind the Curve
Cookign Matters is a new program started in 2024 led by the health education staff at the health department. There is interest in nutrition education as expressed in the
community health assessment. For 30 years, Cooking Matters was a program run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.
The evidence-based curriculum offers a variety of topics that can be tailored to different populations, e.g. quick and healthy snack ideas, creating or selecting substitutes for sugary beverages, meals on a limited budget, etc. Cooking Matters is interactive and allows the presenter to create or prepare foods in front of the participants, allows them the opportunity to taste the foods, and encourages input from the participants.
More outreach is being done to promote the program and build community relationships.
Partners
Lee County Health Department began the Cooking Matters program at the Enrichment Center, a local county-run senior center that serves as a focal point in the community where older adults meet to participate in activities and enhance their involvement in the community. The Center was developed for the purpose of providing an activity center for older adults who can function independently. It is a visible reminder in Lee County of the value and contributions of our older citizens.
Senior Services is a focal point in the community where patrons access services and engage in activities. Programming has an emphasis on community betterment through involvement. We offer a variety of innovative programs: educational, entertainment, fitness, North Carolina Senior Games and SilverArts, health and wellness. Virtual programs are also available.
Who We Serve
Lee County residents of all ages.
How We Impact
Lee County residents are making healthier food choices and have an increased knowledge about food choices. The surveys below reflect the feedback from the participants from the first class (February 2024) at the Lee County Enrichment Center (senior center).
Surveys_CookingMatters_EnrichmentCenter_FEB2024_1709929183.pdf
Status of Program
After the completion of the first Cooking Matters program at the LC Enrichment Center (senior center), there has been strong demand for more classes which is in the planning. Surveys received from participants were all positive.
Story Behind the Curve
LCHD attends the Sadford Farmers Market as staff schedules permit. This event is held seasonally and as weather permits on the last Saturday of the month. This event allows the LCHD to have their presence in the community to promote healthy eating as well as any and all programs and services available to the community.
Partners
Cooperative Extension is part of the NC State University Extension which offers programs for the community of all ages that educates on agriculture and food.
What We Do
It is important to meet residents in the spaces they purchase, consume, and learn about new foods. Outreach at the Sanford Farmers Market allows for such reach, while supporting local agriculture, businesses, and entrepeneurs. The presence of the Lee County Health Department will provide exposure in a new environment, and raise awareness of services provided by the Health Department. Outreach efforts at the Sanford Farmers Market will be diverse, lingusitically appropriate, and culturally sensitive. Activities and information will be presented in an engaging way to promote participation by children, elders, adults, and families.
Who We Serve
This avenue of outreach will serve those individuals who are attending the Sanford Farmers Market.
How We Impact
Through outreach at Sanford Farmer's Markets, Lee County residents will become more aware of health department services available to aid with making health eating choices.
Status of Program
The Farmers Market is held seasonally. Once it begins for 2024, the LCHD will participate again.
What We Do
Christian United Outreach Center (CUOC) provides a food pantry that is run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Residents can shop in the food pantry and receive pre-determined meat, cheese, and milk as well. Residents can come to this food pantry once every two weeks.
Who We Serve
Lee County residents who have food insecurities are able to utilize this service.
How We Impact
CUOC provides food security for many Lee County residents.
Status of Program
CUOC and other community partners continue to provide food assitance for the people in need of Lee County. NCCARE360 also helps to connect members of the community to assistance with food insecurities and other needs.
What We Do
In partnership with community organizations, LCHD holds annual wellness walks where a clinical health professional guides a group walking event and answers health-related questions from the community. Local organizations will have the opportunity to sponsor a table and promote their organization. The broad scope of the event is to promote physical activity through an emphasis on walking to emphasize that exercise does not need to be complicated or require a gym membership. Walk is on a .25 mile track but is not limited to that track nor is that distance required. As stated, the overall pupose is promoting movement for health. Venue may change for future events.
Who We Serve
Lee County residents.
How We Impact
Wellness Walk events aims to increase awareness about resources available in Lee County for overall wellness.
Status of Program
The 2024 Wellness Walk will be held on June 8th at the Kiwanis Family Shelter section through the Lee County Parks and Recreation.
Why Is This Important?
Mental Health and access to treatment services are often overlooked in our health care system. One indicator of mental health outcomes-suicide-has been on the rise for years (HNC2023 p.90). Our Community Health Assessment also showed that Lee County residents are interested in learning more about mental health and having resources available (CHA p.44, p.59, p.92).
What We Do
Clinical staff of LCHD conduct behavioral health screenings for all clininc appointments. See the attached PDF of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).PHQ-9.pdf
For maternal health clininc appointments, the LCHD Clinical staff conduct a health screening specific for that population. See the PDF of the Edinburg Depression Scale (EPDS).EPDS_1707938833.pdf
Both are offered in English and Spanish.
Clients are able to request a referral for mental health assistance. A free assessment plus five sessions are provided at no cost to clients/patients of the LCHD through DayMark Recovery Services. See the attached two PDF forms for reference.5FREETHERAPYSESSIONS(3)(002)_1707938856.pdf ProceduresforReferring_rev.9-12-22(003).pdf
Who We Serve
Lee County residents participating in the care clinic services.
How We Impact
Providing clients with their screening results and offering referrals for mental health care allows for increased opportunities for many in the population who may not have access for such care or be aware the care is available.
Status of Program
LCHD Health Education staff will update data as it becomes available.
What We Do
Family-to-Family is an evidence based 8-week program to increase educational awareness for residents who have a loved one with a mental health condition. Health education staff will be trained in November as facilitators for the program. The trained health educators will lead an 8-session program providing participants with class material, mental health education, and resources for assistance.
Who We Serve
Lee County residents who are interested in gaining knowledge and tools to help their family cope with loved ones experiencing a mental condition.
How We Impact
LCHD will be a free and informative resource for families navigating mental health conditions. Note that Family-to-Family is offered based on interest and not a regularly scheduled program. Once there is interest and completion of the eight week program, data will be available.
Status of Program
This program is dependant on interest from the community. Once a need for the program arises, there will be data.
Why Is This Important?
Drug abuse is a leading concern among Lee County residents (CHNA p.92) and the rate of overdose deaths in Lee County has experienced a sharp rise over the last decade. (https://injuryfreenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance) Additionally, the Lee County rate of overdose deaths (58.3 per 100,000) is higher than the state average (38.5) and our surrounding counties (Moore - 31.7, Chatham - 38.9, and Harnett - 52.2; NC DHHS Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard).
What We Do
Interested Lee County residents call for an appointment at the Lee County Health Department NARCAN Clinic. At the appointment, a nurse provides education on overdose signs and symptoms, NARCAN use, and related information. Participants walk out of the appointment with two NARCAN nasal kits.
Who We Serve
Interested Lee County residents including law enforcement, county employees, and the public.
How We Impact
The LCHD NARCAN Clinic promotes accessibility to NARCAN through free kits and education. An increased number of trained residents promotes increased overdose reversal possibilities in Lee County.
Status of Program
The Lee County Health Department Health Education Division continues to promote this program to the community. Usage of the LCHD NARCAN Education is dependant on the number of clinic appointments made and group educaiton classes by the LCHD Nursing division.
What We Do
Through funds from the Healthy Communities state program, LCHD will collaborate with H3 and Sanford Pharmacy to provide Safer Syringe Exchange kits with clean supplies and relevant necessary resources.
Who We Serve
Lee County residents who are interested in the program.
How We Impact
This program is an effort of harm reduction for the population who use injectible drugs.
Why Is This Important?
Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of early death and disease in North Carolina and the nation (HNC 2030 p.68). Lee County School administration reports that teen-vaping use has risen exponentially in the last two years and national data supports this finding of increase (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm#current-estimates).
Story Behind the Curve
The use of traditional tobacco products has decreased among North Carolina teens and youth, but the use of e-cigarettes among this group has increased. The LCHD has just begun scheduling this program with schools in Lee County, so full data is not yet available.
Partners
Partners include Lee County Health Department, Lee County Schools, school administration, the Lee County Student Health Advisory Council, charter and private schools, and community leaders.
What We Do
The LCHD works to schedue this program primarily middle schools and high schools to educate this population about the facts regarding the usage of e-cigarettes and its known effects on health as a means to both prevent usage and encourage thise who do use to quit.
Who We Serve
This program is mostly for the teens and youth of Lee County.
How We Impact
The LCHD works to schedue this program primarily middle schools and high schools to educate this population about the facts regarding the usage of e-cigarettes and its known effects on health as a means to both prevent usage and encourage thise who do use to quit. At the time of this report, we do not have data to enter.
Status of Program
Implementation starting 2024
Why Is This Important?
“In many areas of NC, there are insufficient affordable, quality housing options for low-income people and their families” (HNC 2030 pg. 58). Additionally, the highest response to the question, “in your opinion, which one of the following services needs the most improvement in your neighborhood or community?” 14% replied with more affordable/better housing (CHA pg. 84). Focus groups also identified housing as a priority concern (CHA pg. 47- 50, 54, 55)
Strategies
S3 [Shelter | Service | Stability] Housing Connect - Sanford NC Homelessness Task Force
Strategies
S3 [Shelter | Service | Stability] Housing Connect - Sanford NC Homelessness Task Force
S3 seeks to create a coordinated and comprehensive approach to end homelessness.
One Task Force | Three committees: CORE | Housing | Service Provision
Strategies
S3 [Shelter | Service | Stability] Housing Connect - Sanford NC Homelessness Task Force
S3 seeks to create a coordinated and comprehensive approach to end homelessness.
One Task Force | Three committees: CORE | Housing | Service Provision
S3 serves all residents of Lee County, community partners, and those working to end homelessness.
Strategies
S3 [Shelter | Service | Stability] Housing Connect - Sanford NC Homelessness Task Force
S3 seeks to create a coordinated and comprehensive approach to end homelessness.
One Task Force | Three committees: CORE | Housing | Service Provision
S3 serves all residents of Lee County, community partners, and those working to end homelessness.
How they impact:
- Partner with agencies to find, write and secure grants to provide and expand services
- Strengthen our committee structure/leadership
- Create and maintain open lines of communication with all parties involved-S3 agencies, target population,and the community as a whole
- Continue to build trusting relationships with each other and various participating agencies
- Recognition and respect for individuals and agencies
- Willingness to listen and appreciate the concerns of community stakeholders by building trust in our relationships
What We Do
Bread of Life will act as a shelter for those who do not have other places to stay during extreme weather events, such as code blue days December thru March. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings. Code Orange during excessive summer heat. Cots will be provided for up to 20 people. Dinner will be served from 7:00PM to 8:00PM.
Who We Serve
People experiencing homelessness during extreme weather events.
How We Impact
Status of Program
Bread of Life continues to serve those in need of shelter and open for the part of the year that is considered "extreme weather." Data will be added as it becomes available.
Why Is This Important?
As of late 2023, Medicaid expansion was recently passed in the NC Legislature. As the changes are being made, the LCHD continues to serve all residents, including those without insurance as uninsured rates have started to rise once again (HNC 2030, pg.84). In the Community Health Assessment, 40% of respondents say that they still have challenges getting health care in the county (pg. 109). Additionally, the largest barrier reported in receiving health care services is lack of insurance (CHA, pg. 111) and Lee County is considered in its entirety as a Health Provider Shortage Area (HSPA) by the federal Health Resources & Services Administration (https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find).
What We Do
The Lee Primary Care, Family Planning, STD, and Maternity Clinics all screen for Diabetes and hypertension / high blood pressure in order to best direct the plan of care for the patient.
Who We Serve
The Lee County Health Department serves all Lee County residents who choose to utilize our services.
How We Impact
Through clinical screenings, individuals become aware of their clinical numbers and can seek and receive resources.
Status of Program
Data will be added as it becomes available from the LCHD clininc.
What We Do
The Lee County Health Department Open House is an event that will be held annually. We enjoy participating in outreach events and collaborative events with partners in the community, and are happy to be able to provide an "in-house" event here at the building! We will be opening our doors to the community with representatives from each of the sections/programs of the department here to provide information on what they do and answer any questions.
Who We Serve
All Lee County residents are invited and welcome to attend! We've worked with community partners who will be stopping by to learn more information and groups of youth in the community as well to introduce them to the Health Departent.
How We Impact
This event will bolster confidence and knowledge of the programs and services that we offer and work towrds all residents knowing that they have access to health care here in the building with us.
Status of Program
Planning for the 2024 LCHD Open House event is in the early planning stages. Specific information will be added once it becomes available including data collected from the Lee County residents.
What We Do
Partnership for Children and Families, Adolescent Parenting Program - Helping Teens and Their Babies Towards a Better Future
Supporting adolescent parents to get an education, acquire job skills, improve parenting abilities and prevent future pregnancies helps them become self-sufficient and better able to support themselves and their families. It also establishes a strong, stable foundation upon which the baby will be raised. By investing in teen parents today, the Adolescent Parenting Program (APP) protects the future of two generations - the young parents themselves and their babies. AP2 participants receive twice monthly home visits using the Parents as Teachers curriculum. Monthly group education sessions are offered as well.
Who We Serve
Adolescents who are expecting or already parents - both the mother and father. Eligible to enroll in the proram if they are 19 or under and can participant in the program until they are 22.
How We Impact
AP2 Goals:
- Increase self-sufficiency outcomes for participants by increasing the delay of a subsequent pregnancy and increasing graduation from high school with diploma or completion of GED.
- Improve child welfare and school readiness outcomes for the children of participants by increasing positive parenting practices to support their child’s cognitive development and mental health and increasing incidence of child’s physical well-being by establishing a medical home and creating a safe home environment.
Status of Program
More information will be added once clinic data is available.
What We Do
Partnership for Children and Families Reducing the Risk curriculum emphasis is on teaching students the interpersonal or social skills they can use to abstain or protect themselves. Abstinence is presented as the best, safest and most common choice for high school students, but Reducing the Risk also recognizes that some students are sexually active. For this reason, students are given clear guidelines and rationales for using protection during sex. Students learn the importance of communication with their parents (or a trusted adult) and thinking through their own values in order to make decisions.
Students in RTR:
- Evaluate the risks and lasting consequences of becoming an adolescent parent or becoming infected with HIV or another STD.
- Recognize that abstaining from sexual activity or using contraception are the only ways to avoid pregnancy, HIV and other STD.
- Conclude that factual information about conception and protection is essential for avoiding teen pregnancy, HIV and other STD.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills for remaining abstinent and for avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse.
(https://www.pfcf.org/rtr.html)
Who We Serve
RTR is taught in the 9th grade health class of Lee County high schools.
How We Impact
RTR has is an Evidence Based curriculum proven to:
- Delay sexual initiation
- Greater use of birth control
- Retained knowledge about sexual health and contraceptive use
- More likely to have conversations with parents (or trusted adult) about birth control and prevention of STDs/HIV.
- Increase Positive attitudes towards protection
- Increase Knowledge of pregnancy risks and STI risks
Status of Program
More information will be added once clinic data is available.
What We Do
Through Partnership for Children and Families, Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP) promotes the positive development of adolescents through curriculum-guided, interactive group discussions; positive adult guidance and support; and community service learning. The TOP Curriculum is focused on key topics related to adolescent health and development, including building social, emotional, and life skills; developing a positive sense of self; and connecting with others. Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®) empowers teens with the tools and opportunities needed to avoid risky behaviors – such as dropout and teen pregnancy – and become leaders with a powerful vision for their future.
https://www.pfcf.org/top
Who We Serve
Teens in Lee County.
How We Impact
Status of Program
More information will be added once clinic data is available.
What We Do
The following Family Practice services are provided:
Medical History, Physical Exams and Vaccinations as appropriate
- Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic Testing
- Care for chronic diseases such as High Blood Pressure and Diabetes
Acute Care such as:
Injuries and Ear Infections
- Sore Throat
- Respiratory Infections
- Digestive Disorders
- Pregnancy Tests
- And many others
Physical exams, vaccinations, lab testing, basic acute care and EKG services.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings
Well Child Services - birth to 21 years of age
The Title X Family Planning Program
Services provided include:
-
- physical exam
- contraception counseling and provision
- breast and cervical cancer screenings
- testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
- preconception health services
- pregnancy diagnosis and counseling
Immunizations
For all age groups
Required by NC State law
Supported by federal funding
For the prevention of:
- Flu
- MMR
- Pertussis
- Polio
- COVID-19
- And others
Maternal Health - Prenatal Care
- Low risk prenatal care
- Must be a Lee County Resident
- High Risk Prenatal Care Coordinated & Referred to UNC Chapel Hill Obstetrics Clinic
- Pregnancy Care Management Referrals
- WIC Referrals
- Costs are based on a sliding fee scale relating to eligibility guidelines
- This program accepts Medicaid Insurance
Lee Primary CareIndividuals with no healthcare insurance will many times delay seeking medical care for as long as possible. Untreated illness and injuries often result in expensive emergency room visits, longer recovery times and onset of chronic illness.
- Wellness exams to diagnose disease and to maintain health
Lee Primary Care is for individuals that do not have access to primary care in the private sector that operates on a sliding fee scale. This will be applied to this fee based upon proof of income.
STD/STI Testing
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis
- Genital herpes
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Who We Serve
Who? What population? Average age? How many people leave with contraceptives? Data in CureMD?
Clinical services provide professional high-quality services to a diverse population in a personal and caring manner at the lowest possible cost. Affordable routine healthcare such as injuries and ear infections, sore throat, respiratory infections, digestive disorders, pregancy tests, physical exams, vaccinations, lab testing, EKG services, and basic acute care are offered for the uninsured.
The Title X Family Planning Program is a federal grant program created in 1970 to provide comprehensive and confidential family planning services and preventive health services to people and families with low incomes.
Any resident living in Lee or surrounding counties may receive free or low-cost family planning services at Lee County Health Department. Charges are based on income and family size.
- Family planning services are provided to all individuals without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, number of pregnancies, or marital status.
- Parental involvement is encouraged with minors but is not a requirement to receive services.
- Funding is provided by Title X.
How We Impact
Offering these services to the uninsured and low income populations allows these groups to have access to services they may otherwise not.
Why Is This Important?
Having a child during one’s teenage years is associated with social, health, and financial burdens to the teen parents, their families, and their communities. Teenage mothers are less likely to complete high school and more likely to live in poverty. Children born to teenage parents are less likely to succeed in school, and more likely to drop out of school and be involved in the criminal justice system. Although the teen birth rate in North Carolina has decreased significantly, teen birth remains high among American Indian, African American, and Hispanic populations. (HNC 2030, p.78) Although teen birth rates have been on the decline in Lee County (CHA p.156), our Community Health Assessment Focus Groups did list Teen Pregnancy as a concern (p.46) and these programs will address the need to keep the trend going in the right direction.
Status of Program
More information will be added once clinic data is available.
Progress on CHIPs
Lee County Monitors progress on the identified priorities through these prgrams:
Tobacco CATCH My Breath
Safer Syringe Program
Cooking Matters
Wellness Walks
Morbidity and Mortality Changes Since Last CHA
The most notable change in leading causes of death for all ages in Lee County is the addition of "Other Unintentional injuries" to the top 5 list, coming in at number 3 with 187 deaths. For the first and second leading causes, the data from 2015-2019 and 2017-2021 has switched with diseases of the heart (655) now leading Cancer-all sites (642). Alzheimer's Disease has also dropped off of the top 5 list for the 2017-2021 statistics from the NC State Center for Health Statistics.
As with most suburban towns, Sanford does not see an increase in smaller, privately owned restaurants that may offer more unique and fresher menu items as more metropolitain cities will, but rather the same nationwide fast food restaurants and quick serve chain restaurants found in similar locations leaving the options for dining out limited. Often these establishments are known for menu items that are high in sodium and calorie dense without being nutrient dense, but often are a more affordable price for many residents. This remains a contributing factor to obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other health isues that residents of many towns experience.
Other Unintentional Injuries include Drug Poisoning Deaths:
Drug Overdose Death Rate in Lee County, NC: Drug Poisoning Deaths (Total) per 100,000 population
Emerging Issues Since Last CHA
Opioid Settlement Funds: Lee County has begun to receive the opioid settlement funds and on January 22nd the County Commissioners approved the first plan to begin spending the funds.
Fentanyl & xylazine: As we have seen in other neighboring counties, fentanyl arrests are on the rise here as well and there have been reports of xylazine in the drug supply as well. This is concerning as we know a majority of overdose deaths in North Carolina can be attributed to fentanyl and xylazine has been shown to be resistent to naloxone.
Population growth in Lee County: From the 2010 to 2020 census grew from 57,866 to 63,285 with the 2022 estimate at 65,476 (3.5% increase from 2020 to 2022). There are housing developments being proposed frequently and some reports estimating a 37% growth between 2022 and 2050 (https://rantnc.com/2022/04/03/here-comes-the-boom-city-county-brace-for-big-population-growth/).
Cost of living / lack of affordable housing is an ongoing issure with residents of Lee County. Current rates if inflation (increased food prices, increased fuel and gasoline costs, interest rates, etc.) continue to affect residents. S3 Housing / Advocacy Committee (a community partner) continues to develop means for affordable housing in Lee County. NCCARE360, Salvation Army, CUOC (Christians United Outreach Center), and other community partners continue to assist populations in need for food assistance and other needs. The Lee County Health Department and Social Services offer qualifying residents assistance with utility bills.
Vape shops are abundant although it is difficult to determine the number of retail establishments that sell tobacco/vape/e-cigarettes products as a seperate license is not require within the state of North Carolina.
New/Paused/Discontinued Initiatives Since Last CHA
The following programs were discontinued in 2022:
LCHD Clinic: Behavioral Health Screening Program
Family-to-Family (not paused or discontinued, but based on interest)
Progress on CHIPs
Morbidity and Mortality Changes Since Last CHA
Emerging Issues Since Last CHA
New/Paused/Discontinued Initiatives Since Last CHA
Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.