Is the health of Macon County getting better or worse? Healthy Carolinians of Macon County hopes to answer that question and many others through a telephone survey of 400 county residents. Random homes are being called over the next couple of months.

The survey is part of a comprehensive health assessment under way by the Healthy Carolinians group with the assistance of Stiles Healthcare Strategy, Inc., a health care consulting organization based in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The assessment also includes interviews and focus groups with community representatives and health providers.

Healthy Carolinians of Macon County has begun work on the 2011 Comprehensive Health Assessment. Last month, on Jan. 28, Governor Beverly Perdue gave a speech to more than 250 public health leaders from across the state at the annual State Health Directors Conference in Raleigh. At the conference, Perdue called obesity the “most critical public health issue” facing North Carolina, Perdue said innovation will be the key to controlling health care costs and moving North Carolina to a better state of health.

“The work being done at the local level, through health departments, educators, schools, non profit organizations and the business community combined with the support of all state agencies is essential to inspire people to action.” said Perdue.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited North Carolina State University (NCSU) recently to announce a grant to develop an obesity prevention program that increases access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity. The announcement was delivered as part of the first anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative.

“One year ago, Let’s Move! initiative was launched with a goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthier and better able to pursue their dreams,” Merrigan said. “Today we build on that commitment with an investment in research that will help prevent obesity which can help create healthier communities and families in North Carolina and across the country.”

...to help experience with disease

Finding out a loved one has cancer can be one of the most difficult things a person will ever have to experience, but caregivers who offer friendship, love and support to the family member or friend diagnosed with the disease do not have to go through the experience alone. The American Cancer Society hosts a series of telephone workshops for family, caregivers and friends to learn about information and support related to caring for a loved one with cancer.

“Caring for someone with cancer can be hard. Finding help shouldn’t be,” said Patricia P. Hoge, RN, PhD, executive vice president of mission delivery and medical affairs for the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division. “Working together with caregivers can help loved ones get well and provide the support family and friends need through every step of their cancer experience.”