New Bern Housing Authority and the City of New Bern
CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS PLANNING GRANT
Trent Court/Craven Terrace/Greater Five Points Neighborhood
Health and Wellness Task Force
Thursday, March 5 at 1:30pm
Meeting Minutes
Attendees:
Jae Hunt, Laura Thompson, Jamie Thompson, Charlie Worrill, Ben Lease, Jennifer
Knight, Priscilla Miller, Nancy Alexander, Nanette Sanders-Cobb, Alana Gentry,
Queenie Boyd, Adrienne Payton, Kira O’Donnell, Tina Adams, Mary Anna
Newman, Monica Kaazon, Hope Bucher, Kitti Hardison
Handouts:
People Plan Development Approach
Sample People Strategy Matrix from Build Olneyville Plan in Providence, RI
Service Provider Inventory and Map
Subset of health-related questions from the CNI Resident Survey
Review of Key Survey Findings:

Limited Access to Medical Services
o While comparable to eastern North Carolina regional rates, only 2 out of 3 residents
have medical insurance (71% heads of household, 63% other adults, 88% children)
o Only 2 out of 3 residents (64%) report that they have a primary care doctor
o 1 in 3 residents (34%) said that Carolina East Health Emergency Room is where they go
most often when they are sick or in need of medical advice (12% go most often to
Craven County Health Department, 10% to MERCI Clinic and 5% to CCHC Urgent Care)
o 37% of respondents cited a Doctor’s Office/Community Health Clinic as needed in the
neighborhood. This was among the top three most needed resources/services. Only
grocery store and large retail store was cited more often.

Disproportionate rates of disability and chronic health conditions
o 1 in 4 households (25%) have a household member with a physical disability; 1 in 10
(11%) with a mental disability
o Services for persons with disabilities was cited among the top five needs right now
o 20% of heads of household and 25% of children suffer from asthma; more than twice
the statewide rate
o 19% of heads of household have been diagnosed with diabetes; approximately three
times the statewide rate
o 38% of heads of household (and 20% of other adults) suffer from hypertension; more
than twice the statewide rate
o 13% of heads of household suffer from extreme stress or anxiety and 12% suffer from
depression

Strong desire for nutrition and physical fitness programs and amenities
o Nutrition ranked 3rd and Physical Fitness ranked 4th among the services needed right
now
o More than half of children (55%) eat no more than two servings of fruits/vegetables
daily; when asked why, 3 out of 4 (77%) said no specific reason
o Outside recreation space (30%) and inside recreation space (27%) ranked 5th and 6th on
the list of most needed services in the neighborhood
o Lack of parks/playgrounds and lack of indoor recreation facilities ranked among top
three barriers to being more physically active
o Recreation Space was among top three things to change in the neighborhood
Additional Issues and Opportunities Identified via Discussion:

Seeming disconnect between perception of good health and actual health condition. In
general, survey respondents rated their own health from fair to good, yet a high number are
disabled and/or struggle with chronic health issues.

Lack of recognition of the importance of health and the interconnection with quality of life
and prospects for greater self-sufficiency.

Need for greater health literacy. Prevention and lifestyle change are key.

Although diabetes and other chronic health issues are important, looking at the rates of
hypertension is critical because this condition can lead to so many other health issues.
Concern that the rates reported in the survey may be lower than the actual extent of the
problem.

Need for better pedestrian and bike paths.
o Many task force participants were avid bike riders and talked about how dangerous it is
to bike in the neighborhood and other parts of New Bern. Wider shoulders or dedicated
bike lanes are critical.
o In the earlier Workforce Development task force, a participant noted that bike
donations are frequently requested because, without access to an automobile, many
low-income clients rely on biking to get to and from work.
o While it will take time and resources to fully realize the plan, the City of New Bern has
developed a Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. NBHA will post copies on the CNI website so
that task force members can review.
o There is a Neighborhood Task Force that is looking at transportation issues. In addition
to looking at the CARTS and making recommendations for improving the public transit
system, the group will also be looking at other issues of connectivity including how to
improve the public realm for both pedestrians and bicyclers. Given the overlap with the
Health and Wellness group, it will be important to integrate these conversations and the
strategies that emerge as we move forward.

Substance abuse, particularly illegal use of prescription medications and heroin, is a
pervasive issue. Amy Bryant from East Coast Behavioral Health and the Coastal Coalition for
Substance Abuse should be invited to join the next task force meeting.

Technically the neighborhood is not a food desert because it is less than ½ mile to a grocery
store. However, because of limited car ownership and the lack of adequate public transit,
many household have difficulty accessing affordable, fresh food.

The City has a farmers market, currently located downtown, that is served by four farmers
year round and dozens during the summer months. Are there opportunities for mobile
markets at key locations in the community?

The community gardens in and around the neighborhood including K Street, Neuse
Boulevard, Veterans Garden and the Area Day Reporting Center are an important asset.
o These gardens are not currently designed to sell affordable produce. Instead, they
provide educational opportunities for a range of constituents who also benefit from
access to the food produced.
o There is a Neighborhood Task Force on Parks and Open Space that includes master
gardeners interested in creating more community gardens in the neighborhood as well
as creating an edible classroom at JT Barber and some of the other local schools. Given
the overlap with the Health and Wellness group, it will be important to integrate these
conversations and the strategies that emerge as we move forward.
o Many of the community garden sites also have access to kitchens to integrate healthy
cooking into the activities and curriculum.

Several free fitness classes, including yoga and Tai Chi, are available in the city. There is in
an interest and opportunity to offer more of these free fitness classes in and around the
neighborhood. However, the YMCA noted prior challenges with participation at fitness
classes offered at New Bern Towers. Engagement is an important issue that all of the
People task forces are looking at given the limited utilization of existing services among
neighborhood residents.

Dental services are available via a mobile van that visits the schools.

It is important to talk about and strive for Healthy Communities. Biology, individual
behavior and access to medical services, are important determinants of health. However,
the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, play and age also contribute
greatly to shaping health behaviors and influencing one’s health.

Social media may prove to be an effective way to reach the younger demographic.

Craven County Health Department completed a 2011 Craven County Community Health
Assessment that may provide some additional insights. NBHA will post a copy of the report
on the CNI website so task force members can access it. Some task force members
reported that an updated assessment in in progress but it is not known when the results are
expected and if they will be made available before the draft plan is due in Auguest. NBHA
will check with the Health Department.
Who’s missing from the table?

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
Faith Community
City Health and Wellness staff
Craven County Health Department
Duffyfield Resident Council
Neighborhood Residents


Coastal Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention
Amy Bryant from East Coast Behavioral Health
Members to the Task Force were challenged to help the CNI planning team to engage more
Greater Five Points Residents and bring a buddy to the next meeting.
Next Meeting:
March 17 at 3:30pm
Trent Court Community Room
Bring a dish to share
Proposed Agenda:
 Review and update the Services Inventory
 Build consensus on Priority Needs that will be the focus of the
Health and Wellness strategies
 Continue dialogue and efforts related to community engagement