2019 Henderson County State Of The County Health Report (SOTCH).pdf

Henderson County, North Carolina, remains a relatively healthy place to live, ranking 13th in health outcomes and 5th in health factors in 2019. The county has identified Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Physical Activity and Nutrition as health priorities. Key statistics include:

Adolescent pregnancy rates at an all-time low (23.2 per 1,000 women ages 15-19)
Infant mortality rates unchanged over the past ten years (4.6 per 1,000 live births)
Higher age-adjusted death rates for unintentional injuries, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and suicide compared to the state
15.8% of the population is uninsured, and 4.2% have limited English proficiency

The county is addressing these priorities through initiatives such as:

Expanding mental health services and publicizing ways to access them
Providing Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) with counseling for substance abuse
Developing a user-friendly website for public navigation and self-referrals
Reducing the percentage of adults who report an inability to get needed mental health care or counseling
Decreasing the number of adults reporting adverse childhood experiences

Special populations identified as under-served, at-risk, or vulnerable include:

Persons with limited English proficiency
The uninsured or under-insured
Pregnant women who smoke
Persons with multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences
Persons who use intravenous drugs
* Seniors, children under 5, teens, and persons living in poverty or with physical and/or mental health care challenges.