Harnett County releases 2025 Community Health Assessment, sets three priorities

Harnett County health department staff and academic partners presented the county’s 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) to the Board of Commissioners on June 9, saying the report — required every three to four years — identifies community priorities to guide a three‑year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Anley Johnson introduced the assessment, which was prepared with Campbell University’s School of Public Health and a local advisory committee. "We use community input and data to identify our priorities," she told commissioners and provided each commissioner with a copy of the full report.

Public health administrator Belinda Rainer said staff collected 47 community surveys, held five listening sessions (including one for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities) and used secondary data to identify priority areas. "Emerging priorities included access to food and nutrition, access to care, behavioral health, economic challenges, growth management, recreation and community connection, and transportation," Rainer said.

Dr. David Tilman of Campbell University described the prioritization framework — measured by impact, achievability and timing — and explained why the board’s top three priorities are access to food and nutrition, behavioral health (mental health and substance use), and recreation and community connection. He noted that overdose and chronic disease are key contributors to local mortality and cautioned that the CHA survey sample likely skewed toward higher incomes, which may undercount need: "Eighteen percent of respondents said they worried about running out of food in the past 12 months," he said.

Staff outlined next steps: develop a CHIP that coordinates strategies, resources and partners over the next three years, and reconvene the Healthy Hornet collaborative. A kickoff meeting for Healthy Hornet is scheduled for June 23 at the Harnett County Health Department.

Commissioners asked practical questions about services referenced in the assessment: staff confirmed existing summer meal pickup sites run by county schools and that two additional sites will be added; WIC and senior meal programs were noted and a resources appendix in the CHA contains contact details. Staff said they will return with specific plans and monitor strategic performance measures tied to the county’s plan.

Next steps: staff will lead CHIP development with community partners and return to the board with proposed implementation actions and performance measures.