The Mitchell County 2021 Community Health Assessment is complete.
The assessment was a 76-question questionnaire designed to allow residents to express concerns and give opinions about the quality of life in the area. Questions dealt with quality of life, the economy, education, health, housing, physical activity, social issues, transportation and COVID.
Interviewers conducted surveys by phone and some participants took them online. A total of 244 Mitchell County surveys were analyzed— 200 by telephone and 44 via public weblink.
The assessment was a collaboration between the Toe River Health District, WNC Healthy Impact and the Mitchell County Health Partnership.
Of the 244 participants, more than half (54%) said their life has been negatively affected by substance abuse.
The survey also showed that more people had more than seven days of poor mental health in the past year, with 15% of participants saying they did not get needed mental health care or counseling during the past year.
Approximately 75% of respondents had a body mass index in the overweight or obese range and 39% had been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
In addition to the survey, nine community stakeholders considered several factors and evaluated the strengths and opportunities of the Mitchell County community.
A Community Health Assessment team also developed a top-10 list of major health issues based on stats and community survey results.
Mitchell County Health Partnership members in November 2021 identified the top local concerns as substance abuse, mental and behavioral health, domestic violence, access to care and services, chronic disease, obesity issues, cancer, addressing kids up to age 5, addressing homebound elderly and lack of caregivers.
That same month, the CHA team determined three leading health concerns to be addressed during this cycle: mental health/substance abuse/domestic violence, access to care/use of services and chronic disease/obesity/healthy lifestyles.
The complete 2021 Community Health Assessment is available online at toeriverhealth.org and hard copies are available at the local health department and libraries and can be printed upon request.
The CHA facilitator will present the complete data during a board of health meeting, health partnership meetings, Mitchell County Health Department staff meetings and upon request.
“While much work has already been done to improve the health of our community’s residents, more work is left to do to ensure Mitchell County is the healthiest place to live, learn, work and play,” the executive summary reads.
Action plans will be developed based on prioritized concerns and action teams will brainstorm evidence-based strategies.
For info on the plan, visit toeriverhealth.org or call 688-2371.