In Carter County, tobacco use, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle have resulted in four chronic conditions: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and lung disease.  These diseases account for more than 60% of all deaths in Carter County.  To learn more about our county's health conditions, please view the 2020 Carter County Wellness Profile.

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To change the health trajectory of Carter County, CCHLC has conducted a Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment that ascertained the county's locations where rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease and the risk factors for these diseases are highest.

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CCHLC, in partnership with the Carter County TSET Healthy Living Program, has selected the following nine strategies to implement in Carter County as a means to encourage tobacco cessation, improve nutrition, and increase physical activity: 

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• Preventing youth access to tobacco in Carter County.

• Working with worksites to create voluntary policies to restrict tobacco use indoors and outdoors.

• Partnering with Ardmore, Gene Autry, and Springer retail food locations to increase access to healthy foods.

• Partnering with restaurants to increase access to healthy foods. 

• Assisting food banks with the implementation of changes that increase the availability of donated healthy foods and beverages.

• Adopting safe routes to school policies in Ardmore, Healdton, and Wilson, making walking and biking to school safe and accessible for all children.

• Creating opportunities for physical activity by sharing existing public and private spaces, and installing wayfinding signs.

• Promoting social support groups that encourage physical activity in Ardmore, Healdton, and Wilson.

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