News

Mental health, affordable housing highest priorities in Community Health Assessment

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 5, 2025

Mental health, housing and chronic disease prevention are the top priorities identified in Henderson County’s 2024 Community Health Assessment.

The 2024-26 health assessment  highlights the community’s top health needs and sets priorities for the next two years. A CHA is a key tool for improving the health of county residents. The report, which is now available to the public, combines community voices and local data to describe health indicators, current conditions and recent changes in health outcomes.

Across all priorities, partners also pointed to health disparities, unequal health outcomes among groups, as a major concern. An equity-based approach to improve health outcomes will be an inherent part of the strategy for forthcoming action plans.

Since early 2023, the Henderson County Department of Public Health has worked with community partners and residents to collect data, review findings, and decide what issues are most important to address. The release was delayed by Hurricane Helene, as resources shifted to storm response and recovery.

Henderson County’s work is part of WNC Healthy Impact, a regional partnership between hospitals, health departments and other organizations in Western North Carolina. WNC Healthy Impact provides data, tools and coordination across the region. The effort is supported financially by local hospitals and coordinated by the WNC Health Network, a nonprofit working to improve health across the mountains.

“This assessment reflects both the voices of our residents and the strong partnerships that make this work possible,” Health Director David Jenkins said. “We are grateful to UNC Health Pardee, AdventHealth Hendersonville, the Henderson County Board of Health and the Henderson County Partnership for Health for their support and leadership. This assessment will turn into action that strengthens the health of our community.”

The CHA is the first step to address priority health needs. Local hospitals and community groups will form action teams to create strategies, track progress, and measure results. Community input is sought in the next phase as action teams are formed to address the priorities.

These efforts will be part of the Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP. The CHIP will include an online scorecard, giving residents an easy way to follow progress and see how the county is doing on each priority.

The full CHA is available online at www.hendersoncountync.gov/health/page/community-data. Printed copies are also available at the main library and all branch locations.

For more information, or to learn about joining a Community Health Assessment Action Team, contact Community Health Assessment Lead Juliana Whitaker at 828-694-6065 or JulianaWhitaker@HendersonCountyNC.gov.