The Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians are local groups that are public-private partnerships representing public health, hospitals, health and human service agencies, civic groups, churches, schools and community colleges, businesses, community members and leaders. Goals the group plans to accomplish are to provide opportunities for the community to assist in Health Care Planning, to recognize and focus on preventive health care needs, and to decrease health disparities through health education programs. Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians was recertified by the state in the fall of 2005.

Since the recertification of the group, they have worked to reduce the rate/incidence of cardiovascular disease which is one of the leading causes of death in the country.  The plan to reduce cardiovascular disease includes promoting physical activity and heart healthy eating habits by establishing walking trails throughout the county, and promoting and forming healthy eating programs such as Eat Smart/Move More and Winner’s Circle.  Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians is currently working with local agencies, businesses, churches, and other community groups to accomplish these plans.

The Healthy Carolinians also worked in collaboration with the Sampson Regional Medical Center and Wellness Center in providing diabetic foot screens expo in the month of December  2005.  The purpose of these screenings was to promote public awareness of diabetes and to help prevent amputations which are a complication of diabetes.    

The health concerns identified were diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and cancer.  Some of the reasons the citizens may not seek care for these health concerns were money, no insurance, being scared, needing specialist in certain fields, and the language barrier.

The Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians will continue to fight against heart disease and other health concerns of the county by continuing to focus this next year on physical activity and healthy eating.  Anyone interested in learning more about the Healthy Carolinians or in volunteering their time and becoming a part of the group, please contact the Sampson County Health Department at 910/592-1131.