Priority Areas:
Healthy Harnett has identified focus areas, established objectives and targets, and developed action plans and interventions that will improve the health of people in Harnett County.
Medicine Safety: Anyone who takes medicines has some risk of a harmful effect. How high the risk depends on the individual patient’s health, the particular medicines a patient is using and how they take their medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults (65 and over) are twice as likely as younger people to come to emergency departments for adverse drug events. The Medicine Safety committee works to prevent and reduce these adverse drug events by partnering with the Campbell University School of Pharmacy to hold education sessions on Medication Safety at Senior Centers throughout Harnett County. For information on Medicine Safety contact: Debbie Vaughn, Harnett County Department on Aging 910-814-5072
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles at the Ballpark: This program works to promote healthy snack choices at the ballpark for children participating in youth teams/leagues. Through the work of this committee the Erwin Parks and Recreation adopted a policy that youth players participating in athletic activities will have access to healthy beverages/water. Making available water in coolers, providing encouragement from the Administration and coaching staff to promote drinking water by serving as role models for the youth players. For more information, please contact Kittrane Sanders, Harnett County Cooperative Extension at 910-893-7535
SISTA Project: The SISTA (Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics about AIDS) Project, a science-based HIV prevention program, is conducted by the Health Education Division with funding from the NC HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch. This program was designed by African American women to meet the needs of African American women. Although this program is designed primarily for African American women, all women are welcomed to participate. By completing the SISTA Project, women are trained and empowered with knowledge and skills to help prevent new HIV infections. The sessions include group discussions, lectures, role-playing, video viewing and take-home exercises. During these sessions, participants discuss many issues that relate to HIV prevention including values, facts about HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse. For more information, please contact Deborah McAllister at the Harnett County Department of Public Health 910-814-6195.
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
This group is working with Harnett County Schools on the Tobacco Free policy created by the NC Legislature in Senate Bill #583. This bill mandates a ban on tobacco products in all schools in North Carolina. SHAC meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of October, December, March and June at 12:30 p.m. at Harnett Central Middle School in Angier. For more information, please contact Janet Johnson, at Harnett County Schools jjohnson@harnett.k12.nc.us.
2-1-1 Resource
2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that connects individuals with resources within Harnett County Communities. By calling this number, community members can get information on a broad range of services including rent assistance, food banks, affordable housing, and health resources. For more information, please contact Judy Orser at WakeMed 919-350-5176.