Orange County NC Website
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8 <br /> snapshot at a time. Several mechanisms are used to aid <br /> the reader in drawing conclusions about health issues that <br /> may warrant attention. In many cases, statistics are <br /> presented for multiple years to allow the reader to see <br /> whether a particular situation has improved or deteriorated <br /> over time. Secondly, statistics for Orange County are <br /> frequently presented alongside averages for North Carolina <br /> as a whole. This format permits the reader to identify areas <br /> in which Orange County is exceeding or falling short of state <br /> averages. Third, many graphs and tables include the <br /> Healthy Carolinians 2000 or Healthy People 2000 objective <br /> for that particular health issue. These are health objectives <br /> established at the state or national level, respectively, that <br /> serve as targets for population-based health improvement <br /> initiatives. The following is an example of a Healthy <br /> Carolinians objective: <br /> "Reduce the percentage of regular smokers <br /> in grades 11 and 12 to 9%. <br /> This report includes Healthy Carolinians 2000 (whenever <br /> available) or Healthy People 2000 objectives so that the <br /> reader can see how close we are to state or national <br /> objectives. <br /> ,Suggested approach for interpreting report <br /> In its current form, this document may only be viewed as a <br /> preliminary Community Health Assessment report. Three <br /> important steps must be taken to finalize the report. <br /> 1. Orange County residents must assist in completing <br /> information gathering. While the authors of this report <br /> have made every effort to present information fairly and <br /> completely, additional community input will help to create an <br /> even more accurate portrait of the county's health status and <br /> health promotion resources. This preliminary report will be <br /> circulated among the members of the Orange County <br /> Healthy Carolinians Task Force. Key findings will be <br /> presented at a public meeting in early September. Results <br /> will also be shared with the community through newspaper <br /> articles and other media features. In each case, community <br /> members will be encouraged to offer feedback in response <br />