Community Health and Outreach

Our healthcare system offers numerous Community Health Outreach programs that directly and indirectly improve the health outcomes of the High Country community. We seek to empower, educate, and provide healthcare services to all members of our community. UNC Health Appalachian Outreach programs use evidence-based initiatives to promote healthy behaviors, prevent disease, and encourage disease management practices. 

Every three years, UNC Health Appalachian, Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative (WCCI), and Appalachian District Health Department collaborate to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment to identify our community's health status, needs, and issues.

2025 Community Health Needs Assessment

2022 Community Health Needs Assessment

2019 Community Health Needs Assessment

2016 Community Health Needs Assessment

Lyndsi Richardson at an event

Community Outreach

  • Cancer Prevention
  • Dimensions of Well-being: Making Life Better
  • Nutrition
  • Stroke Prevention Education
  • Tobacco and Vaping Prevention
  • Heart Disease
  • Senior Health and Well-being

Latino health program

Latino Health Program

  • Improves health and well-being of Latinos in Watauga and Avery counties
  • Increased access to care
  • Health education
  • Other enabling services