Wayne County, KY

Our community is a very involved community. Everybody comes together from all these different agencies and organizations to do things for the good of the community.

Originally carved from parts of adjacent Pulaski and Cumberland Counties, Wayne County lies at the south-central Kentucky crossroads of the Appalachian Coalfields, Bluegrass, and Pennyrile regions, with its southernmost boundary nestled against Tennessee. The county keeps time in both the eastern and central time zones. While considered part of Appalachia, the terrain is less mountainous than many other parts of the Region. The gently rolling land lends itself to farming soybeans and corn and raising cattle. Lake Cumberland is Wayne County’s largest tourism draw, and at one time the area nurtured a vibrant luxury houseboat construction industry, until it collapsed during an economic downturn.

The county is named for General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution and the Northwest Indian War. Monticello, the county seat, conveys its military history in monuments at the local courthouse; in the World War I “Doughboy” statue at the intersection of Main and Columbia Streets dedicated to 23 Wayne residents who died in service to their country; and in the old Hotel Breeding, now a museum filled with curated Civil War military memorabilia.

Monticello is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has strong architectural bones. The F&H Pharmacy, an old-fashioned store featuring a lunch counter, convenience items, and a pharmacy, is the heart of the downtown. The town is quiet, with few people on the tidy sidewalks.

People here sometimes struggle for the necessities of life. In fact, more than 26 percent of residents live in poverty. Yet Wayne County is among the ten percent of Appalachian counties—and one of nine counties in Appalachian Kentucky—identified as a Bright Spot, performing better than expected across 16 of 19 health outcome measures explored in this study. For example, Wayne County performed better than expected on the following measures:

These better-than-expected results are likely influenced by local conditions and initiatives that improve overall well-being. Field work shows that Wayne County’s strong community partnerships and social connections, integration of health services, and focus on healthy foods are likely contributing to the better-than-expected health outcomes.

Wayne County’s classification as a Bright Spot means that, on average, the county performed better than expected on several health outcome measures, given its characteristics and resources—that is, the socioeconomics, demographics, behaviors, health care facilities, and other factors that influence health outcomes. It does not mean that all Wayne County residents enjoy excellent health. Wayne County still lags behind national rates on many health-related indicators. Like other counties with limited resources, Bright Spot counties face many challenges to attaining good health outcomes. Wayne County’s performance, however, indicates that certain county conditions or programs may be helping generate better-than-expected outcomes—and that other resource-challenged Appalachian counties may benefit from adopting similar initiatives.[1]

County Overview

Wayne County represents a nonmetropolitan county in Central Appalachia. It is one of nine Bright Spot counties in Appalachian Kentucky.

Attractive for its outdoor amenities and recreational opportunities, Wayne County is bordered by Tennessee and Lake Cumberland. Part of the chain of lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee created by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Cumberland makes the county a destination for recreation and tourism. Wayne promotes its strong military history and its well-maintained historic preservation sites to tourists as a complement to outdoor-recreation attractions.

However, half of the workforce commutes outside the county to work, largely in lumber and manufacturing (Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, 2015). Schools and government are also major area employers.

The population of almost 21,000 is spread across 13 communities. Wayne is racially homogeneous; roughly 96 percent of its population is white. Fewer than 36 percent of adults have at least some college education, compared with the national median of 63.3 percent. Classified by ARC as economically distressed in fiscal year 2017, Wayne County had an unemployment rate of 9.7 percent in 2014, compared with the national unemployment rate of 6.2 percent. The county’s 2014 median household income was only $30,619, compared with the national median of $56,135.[2]

Although Wayne is a “dry” county, concerns about opioid and other drug use run high, as they do throughout much of the state. Lack of public transportation is also a challenge, and is often a barrier to getting health care and other services. Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated (RTEC) provides free transportation for Medicaid recipients, charging others $0.80 per mile. People who do not qualify for the RTEC subsidy and cannot afford its fee must rely on personal transportation to travel out of the county as there are no taxi or public bus services.

But beyond these challenges is a commitment to community health that has engaged the energetic efforts of a network of government, private, and nonprofit groups in various sectors that share their limited resources to advance the common good. Together they have focused on expanding access to healthy foods, addressing mental and behavioral health needs, promoting healthy child development, making comprehensive health care available to more residents, and providing supportive services to those who need them most.

A Deeper Look at Wayne County: Community Strengths

Residents of Wayne County have a long tradition of relying on each other and local resources to address challenges. They do this by partnering with other organizations—often across sectors—and sharing resources creatively. Their sense of community pride translates into a range of efforts to support community health.

During the field work for this case study, several factors were identified that may have contributed to better-than-expected results in Wayne County:

• Community partnerships and social connections: Sharing of resources to improve the health and condition of residents was evident across organizations in different sectors. Community organizations and religious groups routinely work together, strengthening the sense of community and the relationships between health care and other sectors.
• Strengthening and integration of health services: Traditional health service providers improve access to and coordinate care, but their targeted support of at-risk groups, such as youth and people with mental and behavioral health issues, stands out. This targeted support helps to balance and integrate other services into the realm of health care delivery.
• A focus on healthy foods: The “Kentucky Proud” farming philosophy extends into official programs and supports the production and consumption of local fresh produce and products. This innate mindset contributes to a shared value of health.
• Social support programs: Local nonprofits help people rebuild lives and family structures.

As in the other Bright Spot communities explored in this report, people here have worked to elevate physical, social, and economic health in several ways. Field work undertaken for this report identified local practices in Wayne County that appear to be contributing to overall health, documented effective practices that could be replicated in other counties, and identified promising practices and strategies that should be explored further.[3] Their approaches fall into four overarching categories observed in other Bright Spot counties: leadership, cross-sector collaboration, resource sharing, and local providers committed to public health.

Community Leaders Engaged in Health Initiatives

Wayne County benefits from strong leadership. Notably, the Wayne County Health Department, which is part of the Lake Cumberland District Health Department, and the University of Kentucky Wayne County Cooperative Extension Service have played critical roles in improving community health.

For example, the county health department has led the way in expanding access to healthy foods for seniors and recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by issuing vouchers redeemable at the weekly local farmers’ market. In fact, the farmers’ market redeems 59 percent of the department’s WIC vouchers. Part of this success is attributed to an emphasis on local food culture and encouraging residents to buy homegrown “Kentucky Proud” produce.

In addition, the health department has moved aggressively to combat the epidemic of diabetes affecting so many Wayne County residents. It offers a free diabetes prevention class, as well as other classes to educate people with diabetes and their families on the importance of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and on how to better manage diabetes through healthy eating and cooking.

Another health department initiative, the HANDS Program, may contribute to better-than-expected rates of infant mortality and low-birth-weight births in Wayne County. HANDS is a volunteer home visitation program for new and expectant parents that provides education, connects families to services they may need, and promotes child safety and development.

The extension service promotes community health and well-being through a range of initiatives, including programs for better nutrition, weight loss, worksite wellness, career readiness, life skills, and women’s health, as well as health fairs and an afterschool walking club. A “Local Ingredients” program with the Future Farmers of America, 4-H, and the Master Gardeners club grows vegetables on four acres for public schools and saved the school system an estimated $24,000 in 2016 while increasing students’ consumption of fresh produce. A drug prevention program sponsored by the extension service not only deters young people from using drugs, but has also created new community partnerships among law enforcement, juvenile justice services, and the local women’s club. A recent campaign brought together nearly 200 volunteers to educate school-age kids on drugs and alcohol.

Other groups mentioned as playing leadership roles include the Wayne County Health Coalition, whose members work together to address pressing health issues, and the Adanta Group Wayne County Mental Health Center, a private, nonprofit service provider addressing mental health, developmental and intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. Adanta’s programs for kids and adults range from case management to linking clients to social services, such as transportation or housing support for the homeless.

Jody Paver, University of Kentucky Extension Service agent for family and consumer sciences, is seen as a primary influencer of health and wellness initiatives in the county, as are Vicky Albertson, a nurse for the health department, and Melissa Jones, of Adanta. These three women play leadership roles in various health initiatives and in ensuring that residents get education and services necessary for maintaining and improving their health. They expressed optimism for Wayne County’s future, citing stepped-up efforts to ensure access to comprehensive and continuous care, the success of the farmers’ market, increased opportunities for physical activity like new sidewalks and hiking trails, and a recent public vote to maintain the county’s “dry” status as signs of progress.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Resource Sharing

In Wayne County, researchers found a pattern of cooperation and willingness to share resources among government, private, and nonprofit groups. Working together, these groups leverage their strengths to achieve their common goal of improving health and well-being for county residents.

These efforts are exemplified by the connection between the Cooperative Extension Service and various nonprofit groups. For example, the extension service works closely with the Hope Center, a nonprofit operated by the Wayne County Association of Ministers and Churches since 1987 that serves homeless people, the elderly, single mothers, victims of domestic abuse, and other people in need, to promote healthy eating. People seeking assistance at the Hope Center are required to complete six educational classes before they can access the food bank. The Hope Center is a certified partner of Feeding America–Kentucky’s Heartland, which distributes donated food and groceries to people in 42 Kentucky counties. Support for the Hope Center from local churches and the extension service shows a strong link between faith-based and government groups. In addition, the health department partners with the extension service, along with religious organizations, on diabetes education. Aware of the drug-related issues plaguing the area, county and local officials are active in youth development.

Wayne County Hospital partners with city officials, economic development organizations, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the school system to provide insight on the health needs of the community. These partnerships supplement the delivery of health care services by informing health needs assessments.

The Wayne County school district also plays a key role in health promotion and illness prevention. The schools partner with the health department to provide certain primary care services. Adanta mental health services are available in the schools, offering opportunities to improve mental and behavioral health for the school-age population.

Wayne County has a small network of religious nonprofits and government agencies that maximize limited resources to provide for those in need. They are a safety net for many residents. These groups not only take care of less fortunate residents, but they also reinforce positive self-help behaviors through religion and outreach.

Organizations like the Hope Center and the House of Blessings, a soup kitchen and shelter funded by a network of 20 local churches, use donations and volunteers to provide food, clothing, and necessities for economically disadvantaged residents of Wayne County. Both centers work with the health department and extension service to teach skills fostering self-reliance. Each program thus serves as a stepping stone to independence.

The Wayne County Health Council (the main branch of the Wayne County health coalition) is a group of women working together in what appears to be a seamless collaboration. Members meet to develop their individual yearly work plans, working to reduce duplication of services and find synergies to strengthen health initiatives. The group is focused and business-like, adhering to clearly-defined meeting schedules.

Local churches are involved with philanthropic organizations within the county, and they provide support for community members through the ministerial association. A local Catholic nun, Sister Ann Kernan, started a support group for women called Mountain Moms. The group has served as a resource for Wayne County women for more than two decades and coordinates closely with the extension service, sometimes even providing transportation for residents who need it.

Local Providers Committed to Public Health

Wayne County’s health care network consists of the health department and its related services, as well as several doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and Wayne County Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital. In addition to a full complement of laboratory and imaging services, the hospital has a rural health clinic and a physical therapy/rehabilitation department. Coordinated activities between the health department and the hospital work to balance illness prevention and education with acute care delivery. These partnerships have produced nutrition fairs, health education and awareness classes, health promotion, and screenings.

Adanta and Intrust Healthcare, both part of larger networks outside Wayne County, offer mental and behavioral health services, such as counseling, case management, and substance abuse treatment. They also offer supportive services, including housing, and coordinate their efforts with the school and court systems.

Medicaid largely funds both organizations. Referrals come from family physicians, social services, courts, and schools, with the occasional walk-in. The referral network and closeness of the community allow both organizations to reach their target populations, but lack of transportation is a barrier to services for many residents. Given the challenges these organizations face, collaboration and pooling resources, along with creative outreach, are necessary.

School-based health centers also serve as primary centers for preventive and clinical care and are staffed with either a nurse or a nurse practitioner who works to keep students healthy and learning. As mentioned, mental and behavioral health services from Adanta are available in schools, and some school nurses provide preventive dental services (such as sealant placement) for school-age children.

Creating a Culture of Health in Wayne County

Despite the challenges it faces, Wayne County has strong champions for community health from local government agencies, nonprofit service providers, health care organizations, and faith-based groups. These leaders are working together in creative, resourceful ways to improve quality of life for all residents. They have identified pressing health issues, such as diabetes and opioid use, as well as vulnerable groups, including youth and people with mental and behavioral health issues, in need of targeted support. Sharing of limited resources is an important and effective strategy for advancing health in Wayne County.

Community connectedness here is strong; people believe in helping each other, as reflected in residents’ participation in volunteer activities and in the presence of social support groups. This sense of community also manifests in local pride in “eating local”—and healthfully.

By pooling their efforts for the good of the community, people in Wayne County have created a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

References

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2011. “Chapter 9: Access to Health Care, 2011 National Healthcare Quality Report.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
• Commonwealth of Kentucky. 2017. Wayne County Welcome.
• Holmes, G. Mark, Nancy M. Lane, Thomas A. Arcury, Michael L. Schwalbe, Randy Randolph, John Frank, Sharita Thomas, et. al. 2018. Identifying Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis. Washington, D.C.: Appalachian Regional Commission.
• Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. 2015. Wayne County Community Profile. July 10. Accessed July 11, 2017.
• Marshall, Julie L., Logan Thomas, Nancy M. Lane, G. Mark Holmes, Thomas A. Arcury, Randy Randolph, Pam Silberman, et al. 2017. Health Disparities in Appalachia. Appalachian Regional Commission.

Appendix: Wayne County Data

Table 12: Wayne County Characteristics

Characteristic	Wayne County	United States
Population, 2010–2014	20,728	314,107,084
Percent population change, 2010–2015	-1.7%	4.1%
Median age, 2015	41.7	37.8
Percent of persons over age 65, 2015	18.4%	14.9%
Median household income, 2014	$30,619	$ 56,135
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2015 dollars), 2011–2015	$15,475	$ 28,930
Unemployment rate, 2014	9.7%	6.2%
Percent persons in poverty, 2014	26.2%	15.6%
Percent white alone, 2015	96.0%	77.1%
Percent black alone, 2015	2.0%	13.3%
Percent adults with at least some college, 2010–2014	35.7%	63.27%
Distance to nearest large population center from county center	Somerset, KY – 32.5 mi.	N/A
ARC designations, fiscal year 2017	Distressed Central Appalachia	N/A

Source: These data are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2014, and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey Selected Social Characteristics, General Economic Characteristics, Demographic and Housing Characteristics, and Educational Attainment Tables for years 2010–2014 and 2011–2015.

Table 13: Wayne County Key Informants

Name	Location	Title	Organization	Interview Date
Lashel Hodges	Monticello	Case Manager / Counselor	Intrust Healthcare	09/28/2016
Melissa Jones	Monticello	Team Leader	Adanta Group Wayne County Mental Health Center	09/28/2016
Jody Paver	Monticello	Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent	University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service – Wayne County	09/28/2016
Vicky Albertson, RN	Monticello	Diabetes Educator	Wayne County Health Department	09/29/2016
Sister Ann Kernan	Monticello	Leader of Mountain Moms	St. Peter Catholic Church	09/29/2016
Sally Sumner	Monticello	Director	The Hope Center	09/29/2016

Table 14: Wayne County Health Outcomes – Actual vs. Predicted

Outcome Measure	Actual	Predicted	Percentage Difference (negative = better)
Poisoning mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	20.73	32.30	-35.8%
Stroke mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	35.20	53.66	-34.4%
Heart disease hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries, 2012	47.50	67.64	-29.8%
Percentage of Medicare beneficiaries w/ depression, 2012	13.90%	18.73%	-25.8%
Years of potential life lost, 2011–2013	8,981	11,904	-24.6%
Injury mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	61.07	78.99	-22.7%
Low-birth-weight births (<2,500g) per 1,000 births, 2007-2013	7.82	9.72	-19.6%
Heart disease mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	229.71	261.81	-12.3%
Infant mortality per 1,000 births, 2008–2014	7.21	8.14	-11.4%
Suicide mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	16.53	18.35	-9.9%
Average Medicare condition score, 2013	0.93	1.03	-9.8%
COPD mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	74.83	81.49	-8.2%
Percentage of excessive drinkers, 2014	10.40%	11.22%	-7.3%
Percentage of adults with diabetes, 2012	13.00%	13.91%	-6.5%
Cancer mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014	204.48	215.92	-5.3%
Mentally unhealthy days per month per person, 2014	4.60	4.70	-2.2%
Percentage of obese adults (>30 BMI), 2012	35.1%	34.2%	2.6%
Physically unhealthy days per month per person, 2014	5.40	5.25	2.8%
Opioid prescriptions as a percent of Part D claims, 2013	8.12	6.82	19.1%

Notes:

• Percentage Difference = 100 * [ (Actual / Predicted) – 1]
• Green = County value was better than predicted

For details on the outcome measures, see the data files accompanying the report Identifying Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis.

Table 15: Wayne County Health Drivers vs. National Median

Driver Measure	Lower is Better?	National Median	Wayne County
Air pollution (average daily particulate matter 2.5), 2011	Yes	11.87	13.40
Average travel time to work in minutes, 2010–2014	Yes	22.82	21.32
Chlamydia incidence rate per 100,000, 2013	Yes	287.16	201.69
Dentists per 100,000 population, 2014	No	37.45	29.33
Economic index, fiscal year 2017	Yes	108.79	185.31
Full-service restaurants per 1,000, 2012	No	0.68	0.38
Grocery stores per 1,000 residents, 2012	No	0.20	0.19
Median household income, 2014	No	$45,226.00	$30,619.00
Mental health providers per 100,000 population, 2015	No	80.00	68.49
Percentage of adults currently smoking, 2014	Yes	17.8%	25.0%
Percentage of adults not physically active, 2012	Yes	27.7%	35.3%
Percentage of adults with at least some college, 2010–2014	No	56.3%	35.7%
Income inequality ratio,[4] 2010–2014	Yes	4.4%	4.8%
Percentage of diabetics with A1C testing, 2012	No	85.4%	84.7%
Percentage of doctors who e-prescribe, 2014	No	65.0%	42.0%
Percentage of eligibles enrolled in SNAP, 2014	No	78.0%	85.0%
Percentage of households with income below poverty, 2014	Yes	15.8%	26.2%
Percentage of Medicare women with recent mammogram, 2013	No	61.0%	52.0%
Percentage of population with access to places for physical activity, 2011 and 2014	No	61.9%	28.2%
Percentage of total population in social assistant jobs, 2013	N/A	0.01%	0.01%
Percentage receiving disability OASDI and/or SSI, 2014	Yes	5.4%	15.2%
Percentage spending >30% of income on housing, 2010–2014	Yes	29.0%	30.2%
Percentage w/ no car, low access, 2010–2014	Yes	19.7%	13.2%
Primary care physicians per 100,000 population, 2013	No	48.54	67.57
Social associations per 10,000 population, 2013	No	12.68	7.25
Specialist physicians per 100,000 population, 2013	No	25.93	4.82
Students per teacher, 2013–2014	Yes	14.13	16.84
Teenage births per 1,000, 2007–2013	Yes	39.96	74.12
Uninsured rate for people under 65, 2013	Yes	17.24	19.97

Notes:

• Green = County value was better than national median

For details on the driver measures, see the data files accompanying the report Identifying Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis.