2014 Anson County

State of the County Health Report

December, 2014

State-of-the-County Health Report 2014

The Anson County Health Department, through this report (SOTCH), is presenting current information on the status of Anson County’s most pressing health issues, as determined in the 2012 Community Health Assessment. The SOTCH report gives an update of progress made, information gained, and lessons learned during this year. Partnering with numerous stakeholders in the community, our main focus currently is diabetes education and obesity.

Anson County Courthouse

OBESITY Many groups in Anson County are making continued efforts to help decrease the problems associated with this serious threat to society. The Health Department, the Anson County Schools, the Anson County Cooperative Extension Center, as well as private partners, are just a few of the county agencies that are involved in this endeavor. One local community center in Morven offers aerobic classes, as well as a kickboxing and weight lifting program. These classes are offered three times per week with a certified instructor directing them. Continued efforts are being made to teach elementary children in our local schools about healthy eating, diabetes, and other health issues related to a healthier lifestyle. These classes are being taught by the Health Promotions Nurse from the Anson County Health Department. “Energizers” are also included to promote exercise as well in a fun way. At the end of each session, the children are given a written exam to see what they learned from the session. The children continue to score well on these tests. They appear excited to participate by asking questions and actively participating in each segment. In March, “Field Of Dreams” offered tee ball, baseball, and softball to both young children and the older youth in the community. Also in March, an exercise class for senior adults was initiated at a local senior citizen site that focused on assisting seniors with arthritis management through exercise. This class is conducted every Monday and Wednesday for one hour. The Discover Anson Bike Ride for bike enthusiasts continues to be a welcome annual event for beginners as well as the more experienced bikers. The Town of Wadesboro continues to offer a much needed park for the entire community to enjoy. Walking trails are available as are a playground for children and picnic shelters. Walking tracks are also available in Lilesville, Polkton, and Peachland.

The Anson County Health Department offers an aerobics class three times per week after working hours. The class is offered to employees of the Health Department as well as interested citizens of the community. The class lasts for one hour and is taught by a Registered Nurse employed by the Health Department. The Anson Athletics Strength & C0nditioning Department began the first annual “strength & conditioning” golf tournament at the Twin Valley Country Club in Wadesboro. Monies raised are being used to purchase new equipment and update their weight training facility. In early April, a Veterans Exercise Program was initiated on Wednesday’s from 10:00 am until noon. These classes are also offering education on healthy diet and positive lifestyle changes. Also in April, Pathway to Peace Ministries offered a Healthy Living Seminar that focused on weight loss, diet, hypertension and diabetes. Also in the spring, the Missionary Baptist Church began offering exercise classes on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 until 6:30 p: m. Anson County Health Department offered to their employees a fruit and veggie lunch to encourage healthier choices with diet. Each participant brought their favorite healthy dish to enjoy. On May 20th a senior health fair was held at the Lockhart Taylor Center in Wadesboro for seniors 55 and older. A variety of health information was provided by health agencies of Anson County to the seniors. Blood pressures were also done by Anson County Health Department. A new exercise class for seniors was initiated this year “Sit-a-cise”. This class is for seniors age 60 or older. The class is held monthly for one hour. It goes from May through October. It encourages seniors to be active no matter their age. On May 31st, Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church hosted a free health fair that was open to the public. It focused on health promotion, providing a variety of written information as well as health coaching. The Parks & Recreation Center of Anson County initiated swimming classes for adults and kids which continued through August.

In July, a new hospital, Carolinas HealthCare System Anson, opened, replacing the former Anson Community Hospital. The new facility, located on U.S. 74, features state of the art technology, as well as a patient centered medical home. The new hospital has a particular emphasis on primary care, health promotion, wellness, and chronic disease management. In July, New Grove Missionary Baptist Church began a free exercise class on Wednesday and Thursday nights for one hour. On July 21st, a presentation was given to the children at the Burnsville Recreation and Learning Center on healthy eating habits, the importance of exercise, smoking and diabetes. Pre and post tests were given with satisfactory results noted by the Anson County Health Department educator. In mid-July, a summer camp for kids ranging in age from 5 to 13 was conducted by Pathway to Peace Ministries. The camp focused on healthy lifestyle habits and prevention of chronic disease. Cooking seminars were also presented on Sunday afternoons from 3-5 pm. On July 26th the Sizzlin’ Summer 5K run was offered to citizens of Anson County. In the fall, Parks and Recreation offered football, cheerleading, soccer and tee ball to the youth of the county. In July, Missionary Baptist Church held a health fair for the citizens of Anson County. The fair focused on presentation of information on nutrition, weight management, hypertension, and glucose checks. On September 3rd a health fair was offered to the veterans of Anson County, and the surrounding area, on healthy food options and lifestyle habits. Approximately 75 veterans attended. Two nurses from the local health department were on hand to pass out brochures and answer questions. On September 23rd, a health fair was presented by an insurance agency that focused on blood glucose checks, blood pressure checks, bone density and other important health measurements. The Health Department participated, offering of health brochures and counseling as needed on various topics. On October 4th, the “Stamp Out Cancer Walk” was held with community citizens involved with exercise and in support of a worthy cause.

On October 5th, the annual Anson County Crop Walk was held to support humanitarian relief in the county. This was a time to exercise and to also aid a very worthy cause. In October, the “Matter of Balance” class was held for a few weeks to aid seniors in strengthening exercises and aid with better balance control. “Gospel Aerobics” was held every Tuesday evening in October at Pleasant Hill AME Zion church. A martial arts class is ongoing for the children of Anson County. “Dancing with the Stars” was held on October 18th for a fun time of dancing and support of assistance with poverty in Anson County. The Anson County Cooperative Extension received funding through Anson County Health Department from the Community Transformation Grant to aid in establishing Farm Fresh Ventures (www.farmfreshventures.com), which is a food regional food hub that provides locally grown produce and other food items by subscription to the citizens of Anson County and other counties in our region. 2014 was the second year of this project. Weekly newsletters are provided with the items that contain recipes on how to prepare the items in a healthy way along with other information about the growers and product. The Township of Lilesville received funding through Anson County Health Department from the Community Transformation Grant to establish a new Farmers Market. This market is open during the summer growing season on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings for local farmers to sell locally grown produce and other food items.

DIABETES Diabetes continues to be a problem throughout our nation. In Anson County, 11.6% of adults are diagnosed with this chronic disease. Many factors contribute to this, but poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle appear to be two of the main culprits. However, hypertension, obesity, eye disease, and renal problems continue to cause a great deal of problems with diabetics. Type Two Diabetes continues to be most prevalent with 95% of diabetic cases falling in this category.

Anson County Health Department continues to provide diabetic counseling for indigent clients that involve repeat sessions every three months. Funds are also spent for diabetes supplies and medications for these clients. This program has been offered by the Health Department to those who qualify for over twenty years. Also, clients that have insurance are offered diabetes counseling by appointments at the Health Department. Diabetes classes are offered at Carolinas HealthCare System Anson to newly diagnosed clients. These classes offer the “basics” for living with this disease, and offers assistance with adjusting to altered lifestyle changes brought about with diabetes. Also, each month in Anson County a group of citizens with diabetes meet as a “support” group. Topics of interest related to diabetes are discussed by various qualified presenters. Each year, senior adult fairs are held at the Lockhart Taylor Center, with various brochures and other materials provided to participants on diabetes prevention and care. During the fall, the Grace Senior Center held six classes, on a weekly basis, “Living Healthy with Chronic Disease”. These classes were conducted by trained individuals in diabetes care and chronic disease management. They assisted senior adults on how to better manage their diabetes or other chronic conditions at home and in various circumstances. The classes were two and one half hours in length at each session and lasted for 6 weeks. In the elementary schools, our third graders are taught about diabetes prevention, focusing on diet and exercise by the health promotion nurse from the Health Department. The Health Department also offers brochures and presentations to churches, senior sites, clubs or other local establishments as requested. These are presented by staff that have been trained in diabetic education. In the summer of this year, Dr. Kathleen Zeller joined the Health Department as clinic physician and as Medical Director. Dr. Zeller works with adults in treating or management of diabetes, hypertension, and other acute or chronic illnesses.

The Health Department staff attended a diabetes conference in August to stay abreast of changes in diabetes care so that the public can be better served. Also, the Agricultural Extension Center offered classes this summer on fitness and healthy eating. These classes were done to encourage people to stay within their normal weight and to better manage diet and weight thus preventing Type Two Diabetes in our county. OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST ARE LISTED BELOW: Healthy and nutritious meals continue to be provided for the senior citizens of Anson County five days each week through the Anson County Council on Aging at three sites. The Anson County Transportation System (ACTS) continues to provide transportation to those citizens who need it. An Adult Health Clinic at Anson County Health Department continues to assist clients with control of hypertension and diabetes through education, treatment, exercise and diet as well as smoking cessation. Anson County Health Department continues to play an important role in promotion of good health through immunizations. WIC and nursing staff educate and provide clients with the injections required to prevent and maintain the overall health of the patients. The Anson County website now has a Facebook page for the community and other interested parties. This new avenue offers a variety of health information focusing on education and prevention. The Township of Wadesboro received a $25,000 grant through the Anson County Health Department from the Community Transformation Grant to fund a Pedestrian Plan (www.walkwadesboro.org). This is a comprehensive plan which provided research data, historical information, and a complete comprehensive study to identified areas that can be upgraded, modified or created to increase the safety and access to walking trails, biking trails, and community access to local shopping, business, and other areas of the township.

In May of this year, the long awaited and much needed Anson County Animal Shelter opened. The animal shelter is under the Health Department and is staffed by the Director, two full time animal control officers, and two part time shelter workers. On October 13, 2014, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program) rolled out the new Crossroads computer system. The new Crossroads WIC System replaced the 30-year old NC WIC Automated Data Processing (ADP) System. Crossroads uses modern web (HTML/HTTP) technology, standard WIC data elements, and complies with Federal policy and regulations. Crossroads will support all facets of state and local agency WIC operations. The Crossroads System will save time, paper, and allow more time to be spent with counseling the client about nutrition education POTENTIAL CONCERNS The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has now been implemented. While there are still many unanswered questions with this new law, it can potentially help a large number of the citizens of Anson County. However, many citizens continue to have questions which need to be addressed if the ACA is to be implemented as needed. In 2014, we are currently seeing more of our clients in the community taking advantage of this insurance. People are now being helped that otherwise would not have had assistance for health care. Unemployment continues to be a concern even though some improvement has been noted over the past year. Job postings are being offered in the local newspapers and at the Job Link Center at the Lockhart Taylor Center. There are many individuals who are still seeking employment. Many report that the jobs found in Anson County are only part time positions with no benefits. As a result, many citizens remain on public assistance struggling with poverty.

OUR COMMUNITY’S HEALTH IS OUR PRIORITY

ANSON COUNTY

Pee Dee River, Anson County, NC

Wildlife in Anson County

www.walkwadesboro.com

www.farmfreshventures.com

LET’S DO DATA!

ANSON COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS:

TOTAL POPULATION 25,056

WHITE 48.2% in 2013-2014

NONWHITE 48.5% SOURCE: US CENSUS BUREAU

ANSON COUNTY’S TOTAL LAND AREA ENCOMPASSES 531.57 SQUARE MILES.

References

The Anson Express Newspaper

The Anson Record Newspaper

North Carolina County Health Rankings.Org

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/atlas/countydata/dmincid/data_NorthCarolina.pdf

WWW.FARMFRESHVENTURES.COM

WWW.WALKWADESBORO.ORG

2014 SOTCH report presented by the Anson County Health Department in collaboration with community partners

December 2014