Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2012-2021
Approximately 14% of adults in WNC have been diagnosed with diabetes. The following adult populations were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with diabetes in 2021:
Differences in health outcomes across social groups, economic status, and racial/ethnic identity are closely linked with disparities in social determinants of health, which disproportionately burden individuals and communities who experience systemic disadvantage and/ or discrimination. See our data story on the social determinants of health to learn more about how the conditions in which people are born, live, work, play, learn, worship, and age can influence their ability to achieve good health for themselves and their families.
Approximately two thirds (68.7%) of adults in WNC were considered overweight or obese in 2021.
Only about 23% of adults in WNC were meeting current physical activity recommendations in 2021.
“Meeting physical activity recommendations” includes adequate levels of both aerobic and strengthening activities: Aerobic activity is one of the following: at least 150 minutes per week of light to moderate activity, 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination of both.
Strengthening activity is at least 2 sessions per week of exercise designed to strengthen muscles.
Differences in health outcomes across social groups, economic status, and racial/ethnic identity are closely linked with disparities in social determinants of health, which disproportionately burden individuals and communities who experience systemic disadvantage and/ or discrimination. See our data story on the social determinants of health to learn more about how the conditions in which people are born, live, work, play, learn, worship, and age can influence their ability to achieve good health for themselves and their families.
(N.C. State Center for Health Statistics, 2020)
In 2014-2018 the age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population for diabetes mortality in North Carolina was 19.6 for White, non-Hispanic, 44.0 for African American, non-Hispanic, 40.4 for American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN), non-Hispanic and 12.2 for Hispanic.
(N.C. State Center for Health Statistics, 2020)
Approximately 1,075,855 people in North Carolina, or 13.1% of the adult population, have diabetes.
Source: WNCHN – Online Key Informant Survey, 2018
The information in this section should be interpreted and used with care. It should be used only to help local health departments and agencies begin to understand community perceptions about local health issues. Communities are strongly encouraged to collect their own, local-level data to inform local planning and evaluation activities.
“Awareness of the genetic and heritage factors associated with this disease. Access to quality medical care.”
“Education being done in preschools and the schools around healthy eating and healthy weight.”
“A number of factors, including: cost of processed, unhealthy foods vs healthier fresh foods; proliferation of fast food restaurants; and the fact that many people live in areas with no sidewalks/unsafe conditions to just get out and walk.”
“Non-compliance by patients; don’t see the need to do anything different than before.”
The western North Carolina region includes 17 communities: 16 counties and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)
The list below represents a sample of what is happening in the region around this key health issue. Visit www.nc211.org for more resources.
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