Macon County Public Health
(828) 349-2081

OUR VISION: To be the model for best practices in Public Health.
OUR MISSION: To promote, protect, and enhance the health of all people and the environment.

The Macon County Health Department serves many facets of our community. From the well-being of children and adults to the environment, our many services are broad-based. You'll find a listing of our sections below as well as the county-wide services we provide. Click on any highlighted title to learn more.

Click here for information about COVID-19

Click here for information about the Flu Shots and Clinics

PRIMARY CARE
The team at Macon County Public Health is now accepting new patients for our Primary Care office. Our staff is able to provide regular visits with a provider who can care for your health needs

HIGHLANDS AND NANTAHALA CLINICS
The Macon County Public Health Center provides outreach clinics in the communities of Highlands and Nantahala. Services at these clinics are by appointment only and include influenza & WIC.

LABORATORY
The laboratory offers independent clinical and environmental health services for the general public and our clinic patients. Most of these laboratory services require an order from a private physician. The laboratory may file Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies. Charges vary depending on services performed and income.

COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
A community preparedness coordinator works to ensure a state of readiness for any public health crisis which may arise. This includes staff training, development of disaster plans, organizing disaster drills, and procuring emergency supplies and equipment. The coordinator also facilitates the Macon County Disaster Preparedness Team and acts as a liaison to the Public Health Regional Surveillance Team.

DENTAL HEALTH
The Molar Roller is a mobile dental clinic that rotates between school facilities and the MPP New Horizons center. The Molar Roller provides preventive and restorative services for residents ages 2 - 18. Appointments are required and patients must complete new patient packets before their appointments.

WIC
WIC is a supplemental food and nutrition program for pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children under age five. WIC provides basic nutrition education as well as specific foods and supplemental infant formula for qualified participants. Eligibility is based on income and medical or nutritional need. Appointments are required.

Breast Feeding Peer Counselor Breastfeeding Education - Breastfeeding mothers may rent breast pumps and receive assistance in breastfeeding successfully.

SCHOOL HEALTH
School health services are provided to all public schools and include care for acute illness, case management, development of care plans, medication and immunization reviews, support for communicable disease control, and promotion of staff wellness. All school nurses are RNs holding a BSN and National Certification in School Nursing.

The School-Based Health Center also provides behavioral health services to students at South Macon Elementary school and their families.

FAMILY OUTREACH SERVICES

Case Management of High Risk Children (CMARC)

CMARC is a program for children with Medicaid or who are uninsured. A social worker works with families on a voluntary basis or on a referral basis, with a goal of improving child health outcomes.


CMARC care managers provide:

• Assistance with scheduleing appointment, communicating with physicians, tracking well child care visits, and immunizations
• identifies and coordinates services and resources to help meet the family's specific needs such as housing, medical care, transportation, child care financial aid and couseling/support programs.
• Educates parents about programs such as nutrution, well child care, genetic service, and other resources
• Provides ongoing support and tools for stregthenin families
• Coordinates with medial home to assist with coordication of care settings
• Helps parents navigate Medicaid
• Offers incetives for participation

Case Management of High Risk Pregnancies (CMHRP)

CMHRP services are available to pregnant women enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid and to a limited number of low income, uninsured women. Care managers work with the pregnant women and their prenatal care providers to ensure the best possible care during pregnancy and after delivery. Care management focuses on nutrition, support, referrals as needed to ensure a safe, healthy pregnancy for the mother and the baby.

There is no cost for this program and participation is voluntary.
Benefits of participation for pregnant women are as follows:

• Social Worker reviews care providers plan for a health pregnancy
• Coordinating care across all of involved providers
• Help obtain resources you may need: medical care, trasportation, food, stable housing
• Referrals to other programs such as Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program

HEALTH EDUCATION and NC HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
Health educators work with community partners to provide health related programs and materials to the community. We sponsor local events and connect those in need of services to providers. For more information, or to schedule a health program, please call Macon County Public Health at 828-349-2081

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
This section assures compliance with state and local laws to protect public and environmental health. Services include permitting and inspection of septic systems, private wells, swimming pools, hospitals, daycares, schools, food and lodging establishments, tattoo parlors, and nursing homes. This section also works with animal control during bite investigations. Sponsored events include rabies clinics, food handling sanitation seminars, and training for childcare providers. Fees are due at the time of application for permits and water testing.

IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
Immunizations are provided by appointment.

FOREIGN TRAVEL CONSULTATION and IMMUNIZATION
International travel immunizations, prescriptions, and health advice are available by appointment and fees apply to these services. Macon County Public Health is the only authorized yellow fever vaccination site west of Asheville.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SERVICES
Macon County Public Health investigates contagious disease outbreaks, coordinates control efforts, and provides public information. Call the health center to report suspected outbreaks of contagious diseases.

• TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL
  Tuberculosis screening tests are provided by appointment. The tests are free for people at risk of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis medications and other services are provided at no charge for all clients with known tuberculosis infection or active disease.
• SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE SERVICES
  Services include diagnosis, treatment, education, counseling, and follow-up. All services are kept strictly confidential. No fee is charged. An appointment is required.
• HIV AND AIDS SERVICES
  The AIDS blood test (HIV antibody test) is available by appointment. Counseling, referral, and case management services are available for persons with HIV. Services are confidential and no fee is required.

FAMILY PLANNING
Macon County Public Health provides voluntary and confidential Family Planning to males and females of child bearing age.

Please bring to your appointment the following:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of income (determined by gross income prior to tax deductions)

1. Contraceptive and birth control options including abstinence, condoms, Dep injections, Long acting reversible contraception, oral birth control pills, Nuva-rings, and Plan B with counseling.
2. Diagnosis and treatment of common female/male secual health issues and STDs
3. Preconceptual counseling
4. Pregnancy counseling
5. Pregnancy testing
6. Referrals for infertility services, prenatal care, tubal ligations and vasectomies, etc.
7. Immunizations
8. Multivitamins with folic acid
9. Natural family planning counseling and referral
10. Various community services and resources

BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER CONTROL
Clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, and pap smears are provided for women ages 40 - 64 who meet program guidelines. Call the health center to determine eligibility or to schedule an appointment.

MATERNAL HEALTH
MCPH’s Maternal Health Program provides a broad range of health care services to pregnant women, such as:

• Complete pre-natal and post-natal care by an OBGYN physician
• Nutritional counseling available with a Registered Dietician (RD)
• Interpreter (as needed)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (as needed)
• 17P provided (as indicated)
• Pregnancy education
• Laboratory testing
• Non-Stress Tests
• Free Prenatal Vitamins and Iron Supplement

MACON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM
The Child Health Program provides an opportunity for increasing the health status of children
(birth to 21).
Child Health visits include the following:

• Physical exams including hearing, vision, and developmental screenings
• Lab services
• Nutritional assessment
• Immunications
• Referrals for further diasnosis or treatment as needed

• Any questionnaires that may have been mailed to you before your visit, must be completed in advance by the parent, legal guardian, or client and turned in at the time of the Child Health Appointment.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before appointment time so that our staff can review paperwork, and provide any needed testing or immunizations prior to the examination.
• Child Health sppointments can be lenghty, so please be prepared to wait.

ANIMAL SERVICES
To protect the health and safety of our residents, to protect animals and promote their humane treatment, promote pet adoptions of healthy, nonaggressive animals by the general public, and promote responsible pet ownership.