PATHWAYS TO HEALTH: A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH TO YOUTH WELL-BEING AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PREVENTION IN GRANVILLE VANCE COUNTIES

<p class="p1" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0px; color: #0d0d14;">This proposal provides actionable recommendations to the County Commissioners of Granville <p class="p1" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0px; color: #0d0d14;">and Vance Counties, North Carolina, for addressing upstream determinants of health that influence <p class="p1" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0px; color: #0d0d14;">community well-being. We focus on youth substance use disorders (SUDs) for those 12-18 years of age.&nbsp;The proposal examines the Social and Community Context domain of Social Determinants of Health&nbsp;(SDOH), which includes factors like community engagement, mental health support, and access to safe&nbsp;spaces for youth. Using a combination of local health data analysis, resource mapping, and stakeholder&nbsp;feedback, the proposal outlines strategies for developing a county-level task force aimed at addressing&nbsp;these SDOH through collaborative, community-driven efforts. Key recommendations include establishing&nbsp;youth centers offering substance-free activities and mental health services, integrating comprehensive&nbsp;substance use education and mental health support in schools, and implementing subsidized transportation&nbsp;programs to improve healthcare access. The proposal emphasizes a systems-based approach,&nbsp;incorporating Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Evidence-Based Co-Design (EBCD)&nbsp;methodologies to ensure that interventions are responsive to local needs and are designed with input from&nbsp;the community. By focusing on the upstream factors that contribute to youth SUD, these&nbsp;recommendations aim to create long-term, sustainable improvements in community health, promote&nbsp;resilience, and reduce health inequities across Granville and Vance counties.&nbsp;