New Course Trains Students To Lead Their Community To Positive Health | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:


    The last year has shown that existing, underlying health issues can make an already harmful pandemic even more devastating for some communities. Our region suffers from a 13 percent higher rate of heart disease than the rest of North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. Beaufort County Community College is offering the Community Health Coach course starting June 3 to help make an impact on public health. This class is provided through a grant from Vidant Health. Students can register through the Division of Continuing Education by calling 252-940-6375 or emailing continuingeducation@beaufortccc.edu.

    The Community Health Coach course is designed to empower individuals to serve as an advocate within their community such as: church, professional, social, civic and business organizations. The Community Health Coach will learn to identify health and medical issues and to guide at-risk individuals to seek health services. Students will learn to identify potential health concerns and to encourage results through healthy changes. Instructional topics include: risk factors and disease complications; nutrition and cardiovascular disease; tobacco use; nutrition; community outreach; physical activity and stress management. Upon completion of program individuals are encouraged to host a wellness fair for their community and will receive $100 towards related expenses.

    "People need to hear advice from trusted members in their workplace, church or civic group," said Jackie Butcher, Director of Healthcare Programs at BCCC. "We can't wait until people visit their doctor. We have to bring this awareness and care out into the community."

    The course costs $200 and starts on June 3, running through August 2 on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Call 252-940-6375 or email continuingeducation@beaufortccc.edu to sign up.