A shoutout to healthy communities

Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist

Students from Carolyn Evan’s horticulture class at Blue Ridge Community College made quick work planting lettuce, radicchio, broccoli, kale and herb seedlings in the Health Department’s five raised beds. Working steadily, they pulled out aging kohlrabi and cabbage to make room for cool-season vegetables. Herbs were moved to one bed, and tender broccoli seedlings were placed next to the herbs. Lettuce seedlings filled an entire 4 x 8-foot bed.

It was part of class work, but it was also public health. Their willingness to use their skills will help WIC clients who benefit from receiving fresh vegetables when they visit the department.

What comes to mind when you hear “public health”? It’s certainly a broad term that encompasses services, policy making and health care. But it also affects you, your neighbor, your church, your pets, the food you eat, your health and the activities you enjoy. We are fortunate that organizations, advocates, and volunteers in our community are energized and engaged to create a healthy environment. We are enriched by having an active Board of Health.

Public health partners with such organizations as Blue Ridge Community College, Boys and Girls Club, Safelight, Thrive, The Free Clinics, HopeRx, the YMCA, El Centro, WCCA, Child and Family Resource Center, Henderson County Public Schools, county agencies, city government, veterinary offices, Advent Health, Pardee Hospital and more. It works with farmers’ markets, the Hendersonville Community Co-op and Safe Routes to School. It holds cessation classes for vaping, smoking and chewing. It assists parents in protecting their little ones in child passenger safety seats. It ensures that pregnant moms and newborns have the food they need.

When you have this level of commitment and good things are happening, it means you are more likely to live in a healthy community. That’s important because your health and longevity are connected to your community — essentially where you live, learn, work, worship and play.

Public health is not confined to the Department of Public Health, a building located at 1200 Spartanburg Highway. Public health is not a silo; it’s our citizens, lawmakers, emergency personnel, schools, agencies, hospitals, churches and more. It’s not limited to immunizations, septic tank inspections, school nurses, nutritionists, clinic services or community outreach. Its reach is much further and touches most segments of our county. Its expanse includes sectors outside of traditional public health circles.

This happens to be Public Health Week, an annual event celebrating public health which includes you, our community. It’s time to reflect on the good things that are happening in our community and on your willingness and efforts to make Henderson County a healthy community. Here’s a shout-out to public health advocates, organizations, the Board of Health and Health Department staff who work to realize the community’s expectations for quality of life and community health. The recent County Health Rankings are a testament to what’s taking place in Henderson County. Our county ranked 13th for health outcomes and 5th for health factors out of 100 counties in North Carolina. Though we are certainly proud of our rankings, we will continue to address four selected health priorities: 1) mental health, 2) substance abuse, 3) physical activity and nutrition and 4) safe and affordable housing.

But for now, let’s have some fun. As part of the Public Health Week celebration, we invite you to come to the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day on April 27 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Patton Park. There’s a surprise at noon in store for those who attend. I can’t say more. We hope to see you there.

If you visit the Health Department, check out the Tom Bridges Demonstration Gardens where Blue Ridge Community College horticulture students volunteered their time for public health. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/health to see the garden photos and learn more about county health rankings. To reacquaint yourself with Henderson County’s health priorities, view the 2015 Community Health Assessment online under the Community Data link. Finally, stay tuned. The 2018 Community Health Assessment Report and Community Health Improvement Plan are almost complete and will be posted in May. 

Kim Horton is the communications manager for the Henderson County Department of Public Health. She can be reached at khorton@hendersoncountync.gov.

Copyright © 2019 BlueRidgeNow.com — All rights reserved. Restricted use only.