Onslow Health Officials Conduct Annual County Survey
By Amanda Hickey, The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C.
Apr. 29–Onslow County Public Health officials are hitting the streets to conduct the 2008 Onslow Community Health Assessment.
From Wednesday to Friday, public health officials will conduct randomly selected door-to-door surveys throughout Onslow County, according to a press release from Onslow County. Workers will be wearing vests that identify them as surveyors for the health department and will be carrying ID.
The 15-minute survey allows residents to share their thoughts on health issues and how Onslow County is addressing them.
One pressing issue, according to the health department, is obesity.
About two-thirds of Onslow County citizens are classified as overweight or obese, and N.C. was ranked the 17th heaviest state in the nation in 2006, according to Onslow County Health Director George O’Daniel.
“Researchers estimate that overweight and obesity cost North Carolina taxpayers $2.14 billion in direct medical expenses,” O’Daniel said in the release. “As obesity continues to affect ages young and old, this will be just one of the many issues addressed in the 2008 Onslow Community Health Assessment.”
A community health assessment allows residents to gain an understanding of the health concerns and health care systems of the community, according to O’Daniel.
Responses given during the survey will be combined with state and county data to decide health priorities and what services Onslow County needs.
“The Onslow County Health Department along with other professionals in health care, economic development, education, environmental conservation, law enforcement, and nonprofit sectors will evaluate the most pressing health threats that Onslow County citizens are facing today,” according to the release.
For more information regarding the 2008 Onslow County Community Health Assessment, go to www.onslowcountync.gov/health/ or call Kate Kemp at Onslow County Health Department, Health Promotion, at 910-347-2154, ext. 8309, or Katherine_Kemp@onslowcountync.gov. For strategies on eating right and exercising, visit www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com.
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