CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, SERVICES, AND SUPPORT FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS IN VANCE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Social isolation and loneliness are growing public health concerns that disproportionately affect African American adults in rural communities. This capstone project explores the social and community context of health in Vance County, North Carolina&mdash;a region marked by high social vulnerability, racial health disparities, and limited access to community engagement opportunities. Through a systems-oriented approach, this project identifies social isolation among African American adults as a pressing social determinant of health (SDOH) and analyzes the structural, economic, and historical contributors to this issue. The project includes a comprehensive social determinants of health analysis, a leadership strategy featuring the development of a community-driven steering committee, and a systems-level framework supported by a causal loop diagram. Interventions emphasize expanding transportation access, investing in public spaces, strengthening broadband infrastructure, and leveraging culturally grounded community programs to foster social engagement. Additionally, a visual "rich picture" included in the report illustrates the complexity of the problem and highlights both current barriers and potential solutions. By highlighting key leverage points and barriers, this work outlines a path for county commissioners to create sustainable, equity-driven solutions that promote social connectivity and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Vance County.</span>