Community+Needs

=Community Needs= The leading causes of death in Carter County are heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases. (According to the Community Health Status Report for Carter County) Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to these conditions.

1. The residents of Carter County and Milligan could use some education about diet and exercise. Do they get the information and disregard it? Do they not get any information at all? Further research would be needed to determine the exact situation. However, patients at doctor offices and local hospitals should always be reminded of the benefits of good diet and exercise. Perhaps it would be beneficial for people who need guidance in that area to speak to people who have made those positive changes to see how it was done.

2. Public transport would be beneifical to Milligan residents. The Johnson City Transit goes less than a mile down Milligan, although it does go down Swadley Road which is heavily populated with housing projects. Interestingly enough, the cities of Johnson City and Elizabethton have made purchase of an old railroad line that goes from Johnson City to Elizabethton in close proximity to Milligan Highway. Various uses have been suggested for this line such as a nature/biking/walking trail. But what if the railroad track could be cleared and it could be used for commuters between the two cities? It could be very beneficial helping people without cars get to work.

3. There are no sidewalks on Milligan Highway. Although I have suggested that the railroad line stay a railroad line, extensive sidewalks would greatly improve the potential for exercise. A sidewalk going down at least one side of Milligan would be great. It's possible that people don't exercise becasue they view it as unfeasible or inconvenient (having to drive somewhere to do it). If there was sidewalk availability people may be more likely to exercise.