HPDP builds healthier North Carolina communities

The vision of the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention is to bring public health research findings to the daily lives of individuals and communities with a special focus on North Carolina and populations vulnerable to disease. To achieve this vision, we conduct research and provide support to agencies and communities across the state.

HPDP NC Map

Click here to see a pdf of the map.

Click here to see a legal-size pdf table displaying the counties and projects.

Click here to see descriptions of our North Carolina projects.

A quick glimpse into how HPDP made a difference in North Carolina in 2007-2008:

  • Our projects partnered with communities in 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties to help solve health problems closest to home.
  • HPDP used more than $4 million in non-state grant funds to create 264 jobs across the state.
  • HPDP projects assisted 63 state and local agencies.
  • HPDP researchers and staff served on at least 22 state and local panels, committees and boards.
  • Our experts provided 2,910 hours of uncompensated consultation to state and local agencies and programs in the past year. Using our CDC professional consultation rate of $62.50 per hour, the value of our consultation is roughly estimated at $181,875.
More than the numbers, our North Carolina partners’ stories and quotes tell best how HPDP makes a difference in North Carolina:

Stories

  • Patricia Peterson, a pastor of a small church in eastern North Carolina, exemplifies leadership growth and empowerment in connection with HOPE Works. In addition to chairing the Community Advisory Committee for HOPE Works and serving on the HPDP Steering Committee, Reverend Peterson was recently appointed to the Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery Legislative Study Commission.
  • Darlene Leysath says HOPE Works inspired her to become a business owner. Since beginning the program she has become the owner and operator of two Curves fitness centers in Duplin County and has a weekly radio show on health.
  • The Partnership Project, Inc., a long-time HPDP research partner in Greensboro, provides anti-racism training for state and local government employees. Police officers, teachers, school board members and employees within the local housing authority, along with community-based researchers and University staff have participated in the Undoing Racism Workshop. The Partnership Project partners with HPDP on the Greensboro Cancer Care and Racial Equity Study.
  • HPDP’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program was distributed statewide in 2007-08 and 2008-09 thanks to funding by the NC Partnership for Children. The NAP SACC program resulted in a number of positive changes in the nutrition and physical activity environments at child care – affecting nearly 3,500 children.
  • The Center of Excellence in Training and Research Translation (Center TRT) serves public health practitioners in NC by disseminating evidence-supported obesity prevention interventions and offering web-based training on current nutrition and physical activity recommendations as well as intervention strategies. There were 1,781 North Carolina visitors to the Center TRT website in 2008.

Quotes

UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention has been a great help to low income women in Sampson and Duplin counties. These women have received empowerment and have improved their health. I am very proud of the great strides that have been made.
Representative Russell E. Tucker, North Carolina General Assembly
My family and I went to the Outer Banks this weekend, and climbed to the top of Jockey’s Ridge-with a 21 month old on my shoulders. I could not have done this a year and a half ago. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
WAY to Health weight loss program participant, 2009
In EFNEP, they say you should try to use vegetables in every meal. I learned there was no right or wrong way to use them. Now I use them a lot more. It has helped with the whole family, but especially … with my oldest daughter since we were having some trouble with her weight.
Kids Eating Smart and Moving More participant
The UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention has been an outstanding partner and supporter of NC Healthy Schools over the years. The Center provides many schools expertise and innovative intervention through evaluation, programming and advocacy for health education and promotion. North Carolina is fortunate to have a resource such as the Center working to enhance the health and lives of our youth and schools.
David Gardner, D.A., Section Chief, Healthy Schools, NC Department of Public Instruction
The work done by Ms. Khalil and the Center is invaluable! My students have learned so much about living healthily and are now motivated to go into their communities to teach their peers and elders how to do the same! Thank you for all that you do!
Maya Martin Bugg, Durham School of the Arts, 8th Grade Language Arts U.S. Department of Education Teacher Ambassador
The Center's collaboration with Healthy Schools both through direct contact and the Eat Smart Move More University Collaborative has helped us strengthen and promote coordinated school health initiatives. Sharing research on best practices as well as documenting and investigating results of adolescent and school health efforts has helped make NC a leader in the coordinated school health systems approach.
Rebecca H. Reeve, Ph.D., CHES, Senior Advisor for Healthy Schools, NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health
We have relied on the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for review, analysis and critique of our funding of health related grants in Rockingham County. Their staff has provided guidance and technical assistance relative to ‘best practices’ which have been instrumental in achieving desired impact and outcomes.
Craig Cardwell, Executive Director, Annie Penn Community Trust
As the director of a community collaborative charged with advocating for a healthy environment, I frequently look to the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to provide expertise and guidance for our decision making and action plan implementation process. The staff at HPDP knows how to take the current research and make it pertinent and realistic to those on the ground working on public health issues.
Laura Aiken, MA, MHA, Director, NC Advocates for Health in Action
The center for HPDP has been working in Sampson County in 1993. They have been working with low-income women to empower them to improve their health through the Threads of HOPE. It is my hope that this work continue in Sampson County.
Wanda Robinson, Director, Sampson County Health Department
Our focus is primarily church communities, which are increasingly recognized as venues to reach African Americans regarding health matters. Because church pastors are respected leaders in the African American community, they are particularly well-suited for organizing and stimulating change. HPDP has been very instrumental in providing UVE with continued guidance, support and insight on church based health programs.
Sharon A. Sanders, Executive Director of United Voices of Efland-Cheeks, Inc.
Participating in community-based participatory research through HPDP as both staff of a local health department and member of a community-based organization, I have seen the value of involving community members in voicing their concerns and seeking solutions to health problems impacting their own community.
Wayne Sherman, Personal Health Services Director at Orange County Health Departmen
As a community resident and advocate, working with HPDP as been a tremendous benefit to my community. The collaboration that they have provided to us has been invaluable.
Elvira Mebane, President of United Voices of Efland-Cheeks, Inc.

HPDP's Partner Agencies and Associations

State Agencies/Organizations/Coalitions

Local Agencies/Organizations/Coalitions