NC Center for Health and Wellness Scorecard 2022-2024

Description

All Indicators are updated as we are able. There may be a lag time for data updates based on availability of Indicator data.

Description

All Indicators are updated as we are able. There may be a lag time for data updates based on availability of Indicator data.

Description

All Indicators are updated as we are able. There may be a lag time for data updates based on availability of Indicator data.

Why Is This Important?

Statement of Commitment

We believe it is a human right for all people to have access to the resources and choices required to establish a foundation of health and wellbeing. The North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness has prioritized racial and health equity since its inception in 2007, and our mission embeds advancing health equity across the state. Structural racism is a public health crisis, formed and held in place by racist policies and white supremacy culture. It contributes to negative health conditions and outcomes for people of color and hurts society at large. NCCHW is committed to the ongoing, long-term anti-racist work of understanding this issue, addressing this crisis, and finding sustainable solutions that promote lasting change.

A glossary of key terms in bold is available on our website: https://ncchw.unca.edu/meet-us/our-commitment/

What We’re Doing About It

The killing of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests across the globe were a reminder of how much work is yet to be done and served as a catalyst to do more, starting with this statement of commitment to anti-racism. Specifically, this tragic event reminded us of the culturally and historically reinforced structural racism that has impacted every layer of society. NCCHW has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workgroup that operationalizes NCCHW’s anti-racist commitments into long-term action.

Who We Are

The North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) was launched at the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA) in 2007 to support the health of people across the state by serving as a catalyst for primary prevention and health promotion. Our mission is to foster healthier NC communities by leading innovation and developing equitable opportunities with partners statewide.

Health equity provides an anchor for all of the NCCHW work. This term conveys that everyone deserves a level playing field, no matter what their station in life, to pursue optimal health without undue burdens beyond their control. In keeping with our commitment to equity and health promotion, we focus on addressing health disparities in the prevention and treatment of chronic health conditions.

NCCHW champions and spearheads promising and evidence-based initiatives and practical evaluation methods to improve communities where people live, learn, work, pray, and play.

NCCHW contributes to health and wellbeing for the state’s population via a web of relationships that lead to better practices, enhanced capacity, and community innovations at strategic points across the lifespan.

NCCHW staff work in partnership with stakeholders across the UNC Asheville campus, the region, and the state to help support health service systems and providers, impact critical policies, and ignite community initiatives.

What We Do

NCCHW works to impact policy, build capacity, and ignite community initiatives by working through a web of cross-sector relationships organized around building healthier places throughout the state.

The initiatives at the core of our organization are NCCHW’s Culture of Results (COR) empowerment evaluation training and technical assistance program and Healthy Aging NC (HANC), which provides statewide training, data reporting and management, and technical assistance for evidence-based health programs.

The Culture of Results (COR) initiative provides training and support to assess opportunities and impact, strengthen coordination, and improve and sustain programs and systems statewide. We conduct rigorous research and provide capacity, coordination, communication, and accountability support to our partners. Culture of Results team members engage partner organizations in learning and using Results-based Accountability (RBA) and its evidence-based, equity-focused tools to identify community results, prioritize and collect data, and plan, evaluate and improve their strategies. We strive to build trust, collaboration, and lift the voices of those with diverse expertise and lived experiences in our planning processes.

NCCHW’s Healthy Aging NC initiative (HANC) supports multi-sector agencies statewide to offer evidence-based health programs, increase access to health promotion and disease management resources, and build sustainability of these services. Our HANC website (www.healthyagingnc.com) is a statewide hub for information, referrals, and program registration. Programs offered through this hub address: chronic disease self-management, fall prevention, physical activity and balance, arthritis and pain management, social isolation and loneliness among others.

Two newer initiatives implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provide regional direct support for specific audiences.  The Social Bridging Project addresses social isolation among older adults and the Student Health Ambassador Project engages college students in peer education and support on 6 regional campuses. Finally, the Health Policy Initiative, convened in 2020 as an opportunity to engage partners in discussion to propose policy solutions to challenging health issues facing our region. Our work collectively improves health outcomes for historically marginalized populations statewide and builds systems to support the inclusivity and decision-making abilities of these underserved populations long term.

Data Description & Source

All Performance Measures are updated as we are able. There may be lag times based on reporting from partners.

How We Impact

Collectively, the staff:

• Leads with the vision that healthy communities need authentic and sustained partnerships and local leaders to produce health for all
• Collaborates with groups and people aligned with our approach to advancing health
• Evaluates with a focus on results, shared learning and skill building to measure impact
• Communicates through a mix of tools and training to inform and ignite to action
• Works with partners passionate about placing health first in efforts to drive and sustain community resilience

Where We Focus

NCCHW focuses efforts on our local UNC Asheville Campus, Asheville area, western North Carolina region, and across the state, particularly in areas with the opportunity to reduce the greatest gaps in health outcomes through partnerships and community commitment to help everyone reach their full health potential.

Partnerships

Current Key Partners:

N.C. Division of Aging & Adult Services; NC Division of Public Health;; Western North Carolina Health Network; Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC); Mission Health Partners; NC Association of Area Agencies on Aging; West Marion Community Forum; McDowell Substance Use Coalition; ASAP, UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC and many more!