Health Index
The Board of County Commissioners created a vision for the future of Mecklenburg County titled Vision 2015: In 2015, Mecklenburg County will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.

The Health Index, an overview of the county's health, has been developed as part of the Balanced Scorecard, a management model used by the Commissioners to monitor progress toward achieving the 2015 Vision.

What kind of information is found in the Health Index?

• Rates for health indicators for Mecklenburg residents
• Comparison of Mecklenburg rates to rates for North Carolina and the nation
• A health disparity ratio: comparison of rates for people of Other Races with rates for the White population
• 2000 baselines for health indicators
• 2015 goals for health indicators
  
  The following documents are PDF files and require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  Reading the Health Index 
  Modified 2002-2003 Health Index (2001 data)
  Proposed 2003-2004 Health Index (available 2002 data)

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Leading Causes of Death
In 2002, the five leading causes of death in Mecklenburg were heart disease, cancer, stroke, unintentional injury (includes motor vehicle crashes), and Alzheimer's Disease.

Review more information on the 2002 leading causes of death for all residents as well as for selected race, gender, and age groups.  
2002 Leading Causes of Death (PDF file)

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Birth Highlights
In 2002 there were 12,296 births in Mecklenburg County resulting in a rate of 16.7 live births per total population, a decrease of 0.5% from the 2001 rate of 16.8. Hispanic births increased from 14.9% to 15.5% of total births. Births to girls under the age of 20 years decreased from 8.7% to 7.9%. 

Review more information about babies born in Mecklenburg in 2002.  
2002 Birth Highlights (PDF file)

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Healthy Carolinians Priority Focus Areas
In the 21^st Century, advances in public health and medicine allow individuals to live more but not necessarily healthier years. And all groups do not equally experience these additional years. Scientists tell us that as much as 50% of premature death and disability can be prevented. Healthy Carolinians works for all residents to live longer, healthier lives.

Read more about Healthy Carolinians, health priority focus areas identified through community health assessment and prevention initiatives.

Healthy Carolinians Health Priority Focus Areas (PDF file)
Healthy Mecklenburg Brochure (PDF file)