Mitchell Community Health Partnership

Mitchell Community Health Partnership > Our Projects

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE-

School and Family Health Centers

Health centers for Tipton Hill School, Buladean School and their communities have been in operation for over six years. Staffed by RN's, the centers provide opportunities for health education and basic critical care for the children and adults in this area of Mitchell County. In 2006, the centers received AWARD OF EXCELLENCE as A Champion of Change in North Carolina Medicine by Remaking American Medicine and UNC TV. Download our brochure here.

Mitchell County Health Ministry

Operating with a County Board and Coordinator, this is a church and community based outreach program. Download our brochure here.

MY MEDS

CHRONIC DISEASE-

Cancer
Heart Disease and Stroke
Diabetes
Overweight and Obesity

COMMUNITY HEALTH-

Manna Food Distribution
Emergency Preparedness

Working With Mitchell County Emergency Management, MCHP is helping to establish a more thorough awareness of the county's emergency plans, as well as what a family should to to be prepared for emergencies. Current concerns related to a pandemic are being addressed. Download our brochure here in English or en Español.

Wellness

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-

Radon Awareness

Because Mitchell County has one of the highest rates of radon in North Carolina and high incidents of lung cancer (radon a leading cause), a concerted effort for county-wide testing will be made every fall to continue to educate the public and provide testing kits. Sixth-grade students have a special program yearly on radon and are given free kits to test their homes.

INFANT MORTALITY

Folic Acid

HEALTH PROMOTION-

LPAN (Local Physical Activity and Nutrition)

Nutrition: The goal of the MCHP Nutrition Task Force Committee is to promote healthy eating at the community level to encourage each individual citizen of Mitchell County to strive for optimal health. Although there are many very influential factors on an individual’s, or family’s ability to eat healthy choices, the ultimate decision maker is the individual. The members of this committee are committed to the health and well-being of Mitchell County citizens by generating resources and creating public opportunities for better individual nutritional choices. These activities include identifying and promoting heart healthy menu items in restaurants, working with schools to renovate cafeterias in order to promote and facilitate healthy eating, and promoting more fruit and vegetable daily consumptions. Table toppers are provided are provided for restaurants with nutrition facts and health information. These activities take place in a variety of settings, such as the general community setting, the schools, in the health care settings, in our faith communities, and/or community groups.

Fitness: The goal of the MCHP Physical Activity Task Force Committee is to promote physical activity at the community level to encourage the quality of life of the citizens of Mitchell County. The members of this committee collaborate to create opportunities for healthy behavior and healthy choices. These opportunities can be in the general community setting, the schools, in the health care settings, in our faith communities, and/or community groups. The Physical Activity Task Force Group has been and will continue to be instrumental in numerous physical environmental changes, as well as social environmental changes, in the Mitchell community. These include such physical activity examples as increasing community trails, sidewalks and bike lanes, enhancing and promoting greenways that serve as a place of leisure, recreational, and transportation activities. MCHP has been given permission to mark off the current walking trails, they have been marked with temporary markers. Plans are to mark them permanently soon.

Tobacco Use

OLDER ADULT HEALTH-

Needs of the Elderly

INFECTIONS DISEASE-

Immunizations (Flu Shot Saturday)

Community clinics were set up to provide flu shots. Flu Shot Saturday are held each Fall. Flu prevention campaigns are also held yearly, through billboards, newspaper articles, and handouts to school children and others.

INJURY PREVENTION-

Child Safety (Safe Kids, Risk Watch)

Our chapter of the NC Safe Kids in Mitchell County conducts Car Seat Safety checks regularly. "Wheels Rodeo" are held yearly in different areas of the county. Our elementary schools are now using Risk Watch safety materials appropriate to each grade level.

ORAL HEALTH-

Children's Dental Health

HEALTH CHOICE AWARENESS

Training sessions were provided for community volunteers to learn about the new NC children's insurance program and many types of publicity were distributed.

EMERGENCY HELICOPTER LANDING SITES

Several isolated communities have indicated a need for helicopter landing sites. Three new sites in the county are presently being developed.

DIALYSIS CENTER

The Partnership's six-year effort has resulted in state approval for a center that will serve the Tri-county area.

WELLNESS MONTH

May has been declared Wellness Month In Mitchell County. MCHP provides many activities including: "Wheels Rodeo," Health Screenings, Health "Bags" for Mitchell High School Seniors, etc.

COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIRS/HEALTH SCREENINGS

Health information and screenings are being brought to the communities. Screenings often include blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, hearing, eyes, etc.