Community Health Programs

Our flagship Community Wellness Screening program provides comprehensive preventive health assessments at no cost to participants. Since 2011, we have conducted over 14,200 individual screenings at community centers, houses of worship, public libraries, recreation facilities, and workplace wellness events throughout Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.

Each screening station is staffed by a combination of certified community health workers (CHWs), licensed practical nurses, and trained volunteers. The screening protocol follows current United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines and includes the following assessments:

• Blood Pressure Measurement — Dual-arm automated sphygmomanometer readings with a five-minute rest period, following American Heart Association clinical measurement standards.
• Blood Glucose Testing — Fasting and non-fasting capillary blood glucose measurements using FDA-approved point-of-care glucometers calibrated before each screening event.
• Total Cholesterol Panel — Fingerstick lipid profile providing total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and calculated total/HDL ratio using CardioChek PA analyzers.
• Body Mass Index Assessment — Digital scale weight measurement and stadiometer height recording with calculated BMI and waist circumference measurement.
• Health Risk Consultation — Private one-on-one conversation with a CHW to review results, discuss family medical history, identify risk factors, and provide referrals to affordable primary care providers.

Participants receive a confidential Health Summary Card documenting their results and referral contacts. All data is collected in compliance with HIPAA privacy requirements and aggregated anonymously for public health reporting to Mecklenburg County's Community Health Assessment.

Live Health Foundation's Diabetes Prevention Workshop Series is a CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program. This evidence-based intervention has demonstrated consistent effectiveness in reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes among adults with prediabetes or elevated metabolic risk factors. Our program is delivered by trained Lifestyle Coaches certified through the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).

The program consists of 16 core sessions delivered over 16 weeks, followed by six monthly maintenance sessions. Each session runs 60 to 90 minutes and covers structured curriculum modules developed from the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group's landmark clinical trial, which demonstrated a 58% reduction in diabetes incidence among participants who achieved modest weight loss and increased physical activity.

Core Curriculum Modules

• Healthy Eating Foundations — Macronutrient balance, glycemic index awareness, whole-grain identification, and sugar-sweetened beverage reduction strategies.
• Portion Control & Meal Planning — The plate method, measuring techniques, grocery store navigation, and batch cooking for budget-conscious families.
• Physical Activity Integration — Accumulating 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly through walking groups, home exercises, and community recreation programs.
• Blood Sugar Monitoring — Understanding fasting glucose, A1C targets, and how food choices and exercise affect daily glucose fluctuations.
• Stress & Sleep Management — Mindfulness techniques, sleep hygiene practices, and emotional eating recognition to support metabolic health.

Program graduates have achieved an average 5.2% reduction in body weight and a 27% improvement in fasting glucose levels. Over 92% of participants report sustained dietary behavior changes at the six-month follow-up assessment. Enrollment is open to any Mecklenburg County resident aged 18 or older with at least one diabetes risk factor.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Mecklenburg County and disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities. The Heart Health Initiative is a 12-week structured intervention that equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and community support necessary to reduce modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, elevated LDL cholesterol, physical inactivity, and tobacco use.

Each weekly session is co-facilitated by a certified community health worker and a rotating guest clinician, including cardiologists from Atrium Health and Novant Health who volunteer their expertise. The program integrates three core pillars:

• Guided Exercise Sessions — Low-impact walking groups, chair-based strength training, and aquatic exercise for participants with joint limitations, conducted at partnering recreation centers.
• Blood Pressure Monitoring Clinic — Weekly home blood pressure device training, medication adherence counseling, and trend tracking with portable health passports.
• Heart-Healthy Cooking Workshops — Live cooking demonstrations featuring the DASH diet principles: reduced sodium, increased potassium, whole grains, lean proteins, and abundant fruits and vegetables, with emphasis on culturally familiar foods.

Program completers demonstrate an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 8.4 mmHg and report a 40% increase in weekly physical activity minutes. Participants who maintain engagement through the full 12 weeks are eligible for ongoing quarterly cardiovascular health check-ins at no charge.

Childhood nutrition habits established early profoundly shape lifelong health outcomes. Live Health Foundation's Youth Nutrition Education program engages children and adolescents ages 8 through 17 in interactive, hands-on learning experiences designed to build lifelong healthy eating habits, food literacy, and kitchen confidence. The program operates in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department, and local family-serving nonprofits.

The curriculum is divided into age-appropriate tracks: Elementary (ages 8 – 11), Middle School (ages 12 – 14), and High School (ages 15 – 17). Each track consists of eight weekly sessions covering nutrition science fundamentals, MyPlate portion guidelines, label reading skills, cooking safety, and budget-friendly meal preparation. Sessions include hands-on activities such as smoothie stations, build-your-own salad bars, vegetable garden cultivation, and taste-testing challenges featuring unfamiliar fruits and vegetables.

Youth participants demonstrate measurable improvements in vegetable consumption, water intake, and ability to identify whole versus processed foods. Parent engagement workshops run concurrently at select locations, equipping caregivers with practical strategies for implementing healthy food environments at home without increasing grocery costs.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among adults aged 65 and older, and the economic burden of fall-related injuries in North Carolina exceeds $2.1 billion annually. Live Health Foundation's Senior Fitness and Falls Prevention program addresses this critical public health challenge through evidence-based exercise programming, home safety education, and medication review consultations designed specifically for older adults.

The program is delivered in 10-week cycles at senior centers, assisted living communities, and houses of worship. Sessions are led by certified senior fitness instructors trained in the Otago Exercise Programme and Tai Chi for Arthritis protocols, both of which have demonstrated significant reductions in fall rates among community-dwelling older adults in randomized controlled trials.

• Balance and Strength Training — Progressive standing and seated exercises targeting lower-limb strength, proprioception, and dynamic balance using resistance bands, ankle weights, and balance boards.
• Tai Chi for Stability — Modified Yang-style Tai Chi sequences focusing on weight shifting, postural alignment, and mindful movement patterns proven to reduce fall risk by up to 43%.
• Home Safety Assessment Guides — Printed checklists and one-on-one counseling addressing lighting, handrails, rug removal, bathroom modifications, and footwear recommendations.
• Medication Review Sessions — Volunteer pharmacists from local pharmacies review participants' medication lists to identify drugs associated with dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, or impaired balance.

Since the program's inception in 2016, over 1,800 older adults have participated. Follow-up surveys indicate a 34% reduction in self-reported falls among participants in the six months following program completion, along with significant improvements in self-reported confidence in walking and daily activity independence.