• By Nicole Harterink
• Posted Sunday, August 24, 2025

Library programs, services support social determinants of health

Public Information Officer Nicole Harterink appeared on Empowering You, WSNC’s weekly public affairs show on Sunday, Aug. 24, to discuss the many ways the Library supports the health and well-being of children, teens, and adults through its programs, resources, and services.

According to an American Journal of Preventive Medicine report, medical care is estimated to account for only 10%–20% of a population’s health outcomes. In contrast, economic, educational, and other factors can help or hinder a person’s health. These factors are called the social determinants of health (SDOH).

What follows is a list of some SDOH factors and how Forsyth County Public Library’s programs, resources*, and services can tilt the scales toward a healthier population.**

*The Library’s online resources are accessible for free on a public computer or personal device while in a Forsyth County Public Library branch. At-home and on-the-go access requires a Forsyth County Public Library card.

Economic Stability: Steady incomes help people meet their health needs.

Programs:

• Conexion Empresarial (Business Connection) (series at Forsyth County Central Library): Entrevistas con a dueños de negocios latinos quienes compartirán sus historias sobre cómo iniciar y hacer crecer sus negocios. La serie será mensual y completamente en español (Interviews with Latino business owners who will share their stories of starting and growing their businesses. The series will be entirely in Spanish.
• Job Ready for Teens (program at multiple branches): Hands-on workshop on job skills and interview tips.

Online Resources:

• Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center: Information about careers, best practices for job searching, and career interest assessments.
• LearningExpress Library Complete: Test preparation, skill building, and career resources for students, educators, and adults.
• NCWorks Online: Employment tools for job seekers in North Carolina.
• Udemy: Over 25,000 online video courses to learn skills in business, technology, and personal development.

Education Access and Quality: Increased educational opportunities help children and adolescents do well in school.

Programs:

• Early literacy programs: Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers attend more than two dozen monthly programs at multiple branches that build language skills, reinforce early reading skills, and grow into successful readers.
• Early Literacy Workshop for Parents & Caregivers: Learn how reading to and with chldren from infancy engages children’s curiosity and establishes a foundation for success in elementary school. Registration required.
• STEM programs: Fun and educational programs throughout the system that explore science, technology, engineering and math.

Services:

• TumbleBookLibrary: Online collection of animated, interactive, and narrated books for children.
• NC Digital Library for Kids: Audiobooks and e-books just for kids.
• World Book Early Learning: Short videos, read-aloud stories, printable activities and more. Recommended for children ages 2-8.

Health Care Access and Quality: Increased access to health care professionals, health information, and health-related programs and services can help more people get the care they need.

Programs:

• Libraries with Heart: Visitors to Carver School Road Branch Library and Forsyth County Central Library can check their blood pressure and pick up heart-healthy materials thanks to The American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program.
• Exercise programs: Multiple branches offer tai chi, yoga, and other exercise programs for children, teens, and adults.

**Social Determinants of Health | from Healthy People 2030 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)