HNC 2030 Scorecard: Pender County (2022-2025)
- Heart Health
- Substance Use
- Access to Care
This Scorecard also serves as PCHD’s community health improvement plan (CHIP), fulfilling the NC Local Health Department Accreditation requirements that local health departments complete two CHIPs following the CHA submission and a State of the County's Health Report for PCHD on years when not completing the CHA. The 2018 CHA and previous SOTCH reports can be found at the county libraries, the health department, or online at: http://health.pendercountync.gov
For each priority, this Scorecard spotlights:
- A Result Statement, a picture of where we would like to be,
- Important local Indicators or measures of how we are doing linked to Healthy NC2030 indicators and
- Select Programs or activities and
- Key Performance Measures that show how those programs are making an impact.
Instructions: Click anywhere on the scorecard to learn more about programs and partners that are working together to build a healthier tomorrow for Pender County.
Executive Summary
Purpose of the Community Health Assesment
The community health assessment (CHA) is the foundation of health improvement for a community. Its purpose is to identify the factors that affect the community's health and quality of life and the resources available to address these factors. The Pender County Health Department leads a CHA every four years. The process involves working collaboratively across sectors in a steering committee, collecting and analyzing health data, and setting priorities for health improvement. By systematically identifying a county’s health resources and challenges, county leadership can make strategic choices to prioritize top areas of concern. This report provides data and priorities to support a Community Health Improvement Planning process that outlines action steps and tracks progress on identified issues. This collaborative cycle of steady, incremental progress helps create a healthier community for all.
Collaboration and Community Engagement
With consultation from the North Carolina Institute for Public Health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, the health department formed a steering committee that represented a myriad of sectors in the community.
County residents were engaged throughout the completion of the Healthy Pender Survey, review of community data, and participation in a community forum. While reviewing community data, community members voted on top priority areas which were discussed in further detail during an open community forum. The steering committee then used this community input to inform the selection of priorities.
Process
Together, the steering committee completed the first five steps of a community health assessment process outlined by the North Carolina Division of Public Health as shown below:
Comparisons and Targets
The CHA team collected new primary data from a community survey, and existing secondary data related to socioeconomic and health factors. Secondary data were disaggregated by race and other demographics when available. Pender County data was compared to Carteret and Franklin Counties due to similarities in population characteristics, density, geography, and demographics. Data were also compared to state averages and the Healthy North Carolina 2030 objectives.
Priorities
Priorities
The steering committee initially reviewed all survey data and existing secondary data, comparing data to peer counties and Healthy North Carolina 2030 indicators. The CHA Team defined 14 topic areas as prioritization options with feedback from community meetings and a community forum. At community meetings, community members reviewed data summaries, followed by an opportunity to vote on their top three priorities. The forum provided an opportunity to discuss data themes in additional detail.
The steering committee met to review feedback from community meetings, forum discussion notes, and complete a voting process to determine Pender County’s priority areas for 2023-2026. Final priorities by leadership are:
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Heart Health
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Substance Use
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Access to Care
Why Is This Important?
What Works
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
Why Is This Important?
What Works
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
Why Is This Important?
What Works
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
Progress on CHIPs
Strategies/interventions to address 2022 Community Health Assessment Activities
Heart Health
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On-going collaboration with Pender County Parks and Recreation to promote activities held at county parks
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On-going promotion of physical activity programs, community events, and opportunities across the county, via brochures, local newspapers, social media (Facebook, health department and county websites)
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Conduct Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) classes at the health department to provide education and prevention of heart disease
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Conduct Matter of Balance (MOB) classes in the community. Classes focus on falls-prevention, a common injury for older adults, as well as exercises geared towards older adults to improve mobility and heart health.
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Promotion of various nutritional programs to health care providers and community partners through Lunch and Learn events
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Facebook page posts on events that promote physical activity and good nutrition
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Promotion of National Nutrition Month through bulletin board displays and social media with focus on a heart healthy diet
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Partnered with Parks & Rec to promote “Year of the Trail” (Healthy Heart Walk)
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Raised awareness for American Heart Month by participating in “Wear Red Day”
Substance Use
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On-going promotion of Quitline NC via community events, brochures, and social media.
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On-going multi-disciplinary Substance Use Prevention Partnership meetings and action planning/implementation to target mental health and substance use prevention efforts
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Regular assessment of state and local data on unintentional poisoning, drug overdose deaths, opioid prescribing rates, and current interventions
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Continued participation in state and regional activities for the promotion of smoke-free/tobacco- free policies
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On-going promotion of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
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Current standing order for Naloxone Kit onsite and staff trained to administer
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Website, Facebook, and Billboard up-to-date postings on Opioid Epidemic
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Promotion of county-wide “Drug Take Back Day” events and locations
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Promotion of Integrated Family Services Mobile Crisis team with patients and community
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On-going referrals to/promotion of Coastal Horizon’s Substance Use Prevention Programs via brochures, flyers, community events, social media, and website
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Continues to maintain an up-to-date Resource Guide of mental health providers in Pender County for community members
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Opioid Prevention Planning Committee
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Promotion of International Overdose Awareness Day
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Providing all county employees with educational materials on overdose prevention as well as awareness ribbons
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Monthly Reproductive Life Planning Education Classes at Pender County Department of Social Services that includes the topic of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
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Partnered with Pender County Cooperative Extension to implement the Empowering Youth and Families (EYFP) Program to resident families - training completed
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Shared Naloxone Kits with Local Law Enforcement and Pender County Schools
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Began the planning process with Pender County Schools to get approval to teach CATCH My Breath Program to students
Access To Care
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Monthly promotions to increase awareness in the prevention of many types of cancers
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Educational displays created and set up at all county departments
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Facebook posts to promote awareness of many types of cancers
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Billboard designs displayed in the county to promote cancer screening awareness
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Promotion of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program to allow uninsured, low-income women the opportunity for breast and cervical screenings
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Partnered with Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development to hold Breast Cancer Awareness Tea Party
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Raised awareness for Breast Cancer by wearing pink
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Implementation of the CATCH My Breath program to decrease risk of teens engaging in tobacco and e-cigarette use
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Partnered with Cape Fear Homeless Continuum of Care by providing resources to the community at the Pender “Homeless Stand Down” event
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Partnered with Pender Alliance by providing resources and education to the community at the Community Resource Fair
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Partnered with Burgaw Lions Club and offered free health screenings to the community at Burgaw Fire Department
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Hosted Back to School Immunization Clinics and Community Flu Clinics
Morbidity and Mortality Changes Since Last CHA
2023PenderCounty10LeadingCausesofDeath.pdf
The leading causes of death in Pender County for 2015-2019 compared to 2017-2021 revealed few changes. Deaths due to diabetes are unchanged and remains ranked as 8th leading cause of death. Unintentional motor vehicle injuries have remained unchanged. Concern remains for resident deaths due to other unintentional injuries and suicide.
From 2018-2020, the average life expectancy for Pender County residents at birth was 77.2 years of age. Life expectancy for women was 80.2 years compared to 74.4 years for men. Aside from gender, disparities are also found among African Americans with an average life expectancy of 73.2 years compared to 78 years for whites.
As noted on the 10 Leading Causes of Death table (see link above) the highlighted death rates for Pender County are greater than the state rates over a 5-year average (2020). In addition, the overall death rate for the county exceeds the state rate. Many of these causes of death are preventable. Our prevention efforts face many challenges when trying to promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity, healthy nutrition, injury prevention and avoidance of tobacco and other substances. Progress toward many of the community health improvement activities are found in this document. However, residents must assess their own personal choices and behaviors and how their decisions may negatively impact their health outcomes.
Maternal and Child Health
The NC State Center for Health Statistics shows the Pender County birth rate for teens ages 15-19 years old was 21.1% compared to 24% for North Carolina (2021). Approximately 20.3% of pregnant women had less than a high school education while 37.4% had a college or post-graduate degree (2021). The percentage of women who smoked during their pregnancy was 5.9% compared to a state rate of 5.6% (2021). About 81% of mothers had chosen to breastfeed at the time of hospital discharge (2021). About 70% of women sought prenatal care in the first trimester (2021). Only 2.1% percent of pregnant women received no prenatal care prior to delivery compared to the state rate of 3.8% (2021). Women receiving early prenatal care have lower rates for poor pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight and infant death.
A brief look at the health of Pender County children showed that there was a 7.5% infant mortality rate in 2021 compared to the state rate of 6.8%. The child death rate was 49.4% with 34 child deaths, ages 0-17 years, during the five-year period 2017-2021.
One of the most important long-term factors that can affect a child’s health and development is poverty. 13.9% of children less than 18 years of age are living in poverty (2022). In addition, 19.1% of children are living in households that experience food insecurity (2018-2019).
Access to care means timely use of comprehensive, quality health care services that promote and maintain health; prevent and manage diseases; and reduce unnecessary disability and premature death. Health care access is a concern in Pender County, a designated “provider shortage area.” In 2019, there were 4.1 dentists per 10,000 residents compared to the state rate of 5.0 per 10,000 population. The rate for medical providers was much lower: 2.8 primary care compared to a state rate of 7.0.
Emerging Issues Since Last CHA
Aging Public Health Workforce - In a 2021 Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs Survey, 44% of state and local health workers said they planned to retire in the next five years. With so many public health workers planning to retire, public health leaders must find new ways to identify, recruit and retain new graduates and health professionals. A strong public health workforce is key when responding to community health issues and pandemics.
Aging Popultion - Recent data from 2022 revealed that Pender County was the second fastest growing county in N.C. With this growth comes more risks for chronic diseases, higher rates of cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, injuries, economic disparity, isolation and Alzheimer’s. Increased collaboration is needed among stakeholders to respond to the prevention of multi-morbidity factors.
Dental Care for Children - Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been increased challenges to providing dental care to children. Children’s oral health is one of the greatest unmet health care needs. Studies have shown that poor oral health in children results in more missed school days and lower grades. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. Health promotion is necessary to increase awareness of the importance for oral health care and dental services available to the community.
New/Paused/Discontinued Initiatives Since Last CHA
Health and Human Services Facility - Efforts have begun to design and construct a new health and human services facility. The new building will include the health department and the Department of Social Services. Groundbreaking will occur in Fall 2024. Additional space is included in the facility to account for growth up to 2040.
Public Health Workforce Initiative - As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the North Carolina Division of Public Health has distributed funds to ten regions in the state. Pender County is part of the Southeast Region. A workforce grant work plan will be developed to focus on public health staff recruitment and hiring; a regional training plan and a regional coordination plan to engage a regional leadership team. A main focus of the initiative will be to identify strategies to strengthen the local public health workforce and response to community health issues.
Opioid Prevention Planning Committee - Partnering to promote the implementation of a new Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) led by Coastal Horizons, the team will identify those at risk of overdose or who have experienced a recent overdose. They will remain in contact with individuals, encouraging them to participate in substance use treatment services.
Progress on CHIPs
Morbidity and Mortality Changes Since Last CHA
Emerging Issues Since Last CHA
New/Paused/Discontinued Initiatives Since Last CHA
Progress on CHIPs
Morbidity and Mortality Changes Since Last CHA
Emerging Issues Since Last CHA
New/Paused/Discontinued Initiatives Since Last CHA
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