Improving health and well-being for all.

Being healthy makes it possible to show up—for work, for school, for family, and for life. Yet in Sumner County, many face barriers to staying well: lack of access to care, chronic illness, food insecurity, and more. We believe health equity starts with community-wide action, ensuring every person, regardless of age or income, can live their healthiest life.

United Way of Sumner County brings partners (health providers, nonprofits, businesses, and residents) together to remove health barriers, invest in prevention, and build systems that support strong bodies and strong communities.

Our Healthy Community Initiatives

Through this impact area, we activate a holistic approach to health by investing in efforts that support:

• Health Access and Equity
  From newborns to seniors, we support programs that increase access to primary care, dental services, mental health resources, and essential medications, so more people can get the care they need, when they need it.
• Maternal and Child Health
  From prenatal care to postpartum support, we invest in programs that help moms, babies, and families build strong, healthy foundations during the earliest and most critical years of life.
• Nutrition and Food Security
  Healthy food is essential for a healthy life. We help reduce food insecurity by supporting food pantries, meal programs, and community nutrition efforts that improve access to fresh, nutritious meals.
• Disease Awareness and Prevention
  Preventing illness saves lives and resources. We partner with health care providers and community programs that offer preventative care and screenings, helping more people access early detection and education around chronic and infectious diseases.
• Mental Health Support
  Mental and emotional well-being are just as important as physical health. We invest in counseling, peer support, and community-based services that connect individuals and families to the help they need.
• Substance Misuse Recovery and Prevention
  We partner with programs that focus on compassionate prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.
• Senior Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellbeing
  As our population ages, we support services that help older adults remain healthy, independent, and connected including fitness, nutrition, transportation, and caregiver support programs.

Why This Matters in Sumner County

• 12% of people (almost 25,000 people) in Sumner County live in food-insecure households.
• 7.7% of babies in Sumner County are born at a low birth weight (less than 5.5 lbs). This increases the risk for long-term developmental and health complications.
• 43.2% of births in Sumner County were covered by TennCare (Medicaid) in 2022–23, highlighting the importance of accessible maternal health services for lower-income families.
• 42.7% of Tennessee high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in the past year which is higher than the national average of 39.7%.
• Among high school girls, this rate jumps to 55%, and among boys, 30%—a 50% increase since 2013.
• More than 1 in 4 high school students (over 25%) reported attempting to hurt themselves (e.g., cutting or burning) in the past year without suicidal intent. Among girls, the rate is 38.9%.
• 15% of Tennessee high school students reported attempting suicide in the past year—significantly higher than the national average of 9.5%.
• 35% of students said they have lived with someone who was depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal—pointing to widespread exposure to household mental health struggles.
• 85% of older adults have at least one chronic disease and over 60% have at least two.
• One third of seniors have a disability.
• 89% of people over 65 take one or more medications daily.
• 21% of seniors do not take their prescriptions due to cost.
• In Sumner County, there are less than 47 primary care providers per 100,000 people, compared to 91 for the Tennessee state rate. That means it is twice as hard to get access to a primary care provider in Sumner County.
• In Sumner County, there are approximately 115 mental health providers per 100,000 people. That is less than half the number available per 100,000 people in the state of Tennessee overall and only about one-third the number available nationally per 100,000!

Together, We Can Build a Healthier Community

At United Way of Sumner County, we know that health is not just a personal issue—it’s a community one. That’s why we bring together local organizations, health care providers, and compassionate neighbors to improve well-being for all.

By investing in prevention, promoting wellness at every age, and connecting people to vital services, we’re working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live a healthier life, regardless of income, background, or zip code.

Because when more people can access the care and support they need, our entire community grows stronger, more resilient, and more connected.

Healthier people make a healthier Sumner County and that benefits us all.

To learn more about these programs, click HERE.

Source:

2024 ALICE in the Crosscurrents Sumner County Summary
2025 State of ALICE Sumner County Summary
2024 Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth's The State of the Child in Tennessee