Western North Carolina is home to nearly one million people living in 18 counties. On average, our
primarily rural region is poorer, older, and less resourced than other areas of the state, but our
communities are close-knit, innovative, and resilient.
Some of our region's most pressing rural health challenges include:
Limited Health Workforce
- All 16 WNC counties are primary care health professional shortage areas
- Only 3 out of 5 adults in WNC had a dental visit in the past year
- 8 WNC counties have no practicing general psychiatrist
- 7 WNC counties have no practicing ob/gyns
Fewer Resources
- Geography creates transportation challenges
- 6 hospital labor and delivery closures in less than 5 years
Ongoing Opioid Epidemic
- 12 out of 18 counties have higher rates of opioid-related deaths than the state average
- In WNC, a person is more likely to die from an opioid overdose than from a car accident
Challenging Social Determinants of Health
- 1 in 4 WNC children live in poverty
- 1 in 5 WNC residents are over 65
- 1 in 6 WNC adults 18-65 are uninsured
- Median WNC household income is $9,160 less than the state average
Above-Average Rates of Disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Behavioral health disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Smoking
