State of the County Health Report Released for Watauga County

• Mental/Behavioral Health – Depression, anxiety, emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention, and support/intervention for those with mental illness.
• Family and Social Supports – Increased community and social supports in places where people live, learn, work, play and pray; and
• Housing – Issues related to housing can impact community members in a variety of ways, including impacting long-term health outcomes. A diverse group of community members and key agencies have come together to take action on the increasingly complex topic of housing in Watauga County.

Within each health priority, there is a focus on health equity that highlights a commitment to make sure all people have full and equal access to opportunities to help them lead healthy lives.

AppHealthCare and the community are working to address the leading causes of death in Watauga County by expanding access to important services and developing and enhancing community partnerships that encourage healthy behaviors.

“We use these reports to inform how we can work together as a community to implement program and policy changes that improve health for all people. It takes partnerships across sectors, not just those in public health and healthcare, in addition to action, to improve the health in our community,” said Jennifer Greene, Health Director/CEO, AppHealthCare.

What Can We Do Together to Improve Our Community’s Health?

• Practice safe prescription medication use by taking correctly, storing securely, disposing properly, and never sharing.
• Health begins where we live, learn, work and play. Take action in building our neighborhood to be safe and healthy.
• Being healthy takes a community. Attend a Mental Health First Aid training and join local community groups that work to support mental health systems.
• Your opportunity for health starts long before you need medical care. Sign up for your local Women, Infant & Children (WIC) program through AppHealthCare.
• The opportunity for health begins in our families, neighborhoods, schools and jobs. Buy local fruits and vegetables at the Farmers’ Market and produce stands. Being healthy takes a community.
• Your neighborhood or job shouldn’t be hazardous to your health. Support tobacco free living.
• Health starts—long before illness—in our homes, schools and jobs. Investing in our mothers and children is investing in our future.
• Live active, eat more vegetables and fruits.
• All citizens have the opportunity to make the choices that allow them to live a long, healthy life. Support local policies for sidewalks and bike lanes.