Wayne County, Kentucky

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63

Our community is a very involved community. Everybody comes together 

from all these different agencies and organizations to do things for the good 

of the community.

—Melissa Jones, Team Leader, Adanta Group

 Behavioral Health Services, Wayne County

Originally carved from parts of adjacent Pulaski and Cumberland Counties, Wayne County lies at the 

south-central Kentucky crossroads of the Appalachian Coalfields, Bluegrass, and Pennyrile regions, with

its southernmost boundary nestled against Tennessee. The county keeps time in both the eastern and 

central time zones. While considered part of Appalachia, the terrain is less mountainous than many other 

parts of the Region. The gently rolling land lends itself to farming soybeans and corn and raising cattle. 

Lake Cumberland is Wayne County’s largest tourism draw, and at one time the area nurtured a vibrant 

luxury houseboat construction industry, until it collapsed during an economic downturn. 

The county is named for General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution and the 

Northwest Indian War. Monticello, the county seat, conveys its military history in monuments at the local 

courthouse; in the World War I “Doughboy” statue at the intersection of Main and Columbia Streets

dedicated to 23 Wayne residents who died in service to their country; and in the old Hotel Breeding, now 

a museum filled with curated Civil War military memorabilia.

© Joyce Pinson 

Vicky Albertson, diabetes educator for the Wayne County Health Department
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Monticello is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has strong architectural bones. The 

F&H Pharmacy, an old-fashioned store featuring a lunch counter, convenience items, and a pharmacy, is 

the heart of the downtown. The town is quiet, with few people on the tidy sidewalks. 

People here sometimes struggle for the necessities of life. In fact, more than 26 percent of residents live in 

poverty. Yet Wayne County is among the ten percent of Appalachian counties—and one of nine counties

in Appalachian Kentucky—identified as a Bright Spot, performing better than expected across 16 of 19 

health outcome measures explored in this study. For example, Wayne County performed better than 

expected on the following measures:

 Poisoning mortality: 36 percent better than expected 

 Stroke mortality: 34 percent better than expected

 Heart disease hospitalization: 30 percent better than expected

 Percentage of Medicare beneficiaries with depression: 26 percent better than expected

 Years of potential life lost: 25 percent better than expected

These better-than-expected results are likely influenced by local conditions and initiatives that improve 

overall well-being. Field work shows that Wayne County’s strong community partnerships and social 

connections, integration of health services, and focus on healthy foods are likely contributing to the 

better-than-expected health outcomes.

Wayne County’s classification as a Bright Spot means that, on average, the county performed better than 

expected on several health outcome measures, given its characteristics and resources—that is, the 

socioeconomics, demographics, behaviors, health care facilities, and other factors that influence health 

outcomes. It does not mean that all Wayne County residents enjoy excellent health. Wayne County still 

lags behind national rates on many health-related indicators. Like other counties with limited resources, 

Bright Spot counties face many challenges to attaining good health outcomes. Wayne County’s 

performance, however, indicates that certain county conditions or programs may be helping generate 

better-than-expected outcomes—and that other resource-challenged Appalachian counties may benefit 

from adopting similar initiatives.1

 

1 See Table 14 in the data appendix at the end of this case study for a full list of actual health outcomes for Wayne 

County compared with predicted outcomes. For details on the outcome measures, see the data files accompanying 

the report Identifying Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis.
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COUNTY OVERVIEW 

Figure 7: Map - Bright Spot Community Wayne County, Kentucky 

Wayne County represents a nonmetropolitan county in Central Appalachia. It is one

of nine Bright Spot counties in Appalachian Kentucky.

Attractive for its outdoor amenities and recreational opportunities, Wayne County is bordered by 

Tennessee and Lake Cumberland. Part of the chain of lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee created by the 

Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Cumberland makes the county a 

destination for recreation and tourism. Wayne promotes its strong military history and its well-maintained 

historic preservation sites to tourists as a complement to outdoor-recreation attractions. 

However, half of the workforce commutes outside the county to work, largely in lumber and 

manufacturing (Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, 2015). Schools and government are also 

major area employers. 

The population of almost 21,000 is spread across 13 communities. Wayne is racially homogeneous; 

roughly 96 percent of its population is white. Fewer than 36 percent of adults have at least some college 

education, compared with the national median of 63.3 percent. Classified by ARC as economically 

distressed in fiscal year 2017, Wayne County had an unemployment rate of 9.7 percent in 2014, compared 

Wayne County, KY

GEORGIA

SOUTH 

CAROLINA

NORTH CAROLINA

ALABAMA

MISSISSIPPI

TENNESSEE

KENTUCKY

OHIO PENNSYLVANIA

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

NEW YORK

WEST

VIRGINIA

Northern

Southern

Central

South Central

North Central

0 100 50

Miles
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with the national unemployment rate of 6.2 percent. The county’s 2014 median household income was 

only $30,619, compared with the national median of $56,135.

2

Although Wayne is a “dry” county, concerns about opioid and other drug use run high, as they do 

throughout much of the state. Lack of public transportation is also a challenge, and is often a barrier to 

getting health care and other services. Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated (RTEC) provides free 

transportation for Medicaid recipients, charging others $0.80 per mile. People who do not qualify for the 

RTEC subsidy and cannot afford its fee must rely on personal transportation to travel out of the county as 

there are no taxi or public bus services. 

But beyond these challenges is a commitment to community health that has engaged the energetic efforts 

of a network of government, private, and nonprofit groups in various sectors that share their limited 

resources to advance the common good. Together they have focused on expanding access to healthy 

foods, addressing mental and behavioral health needs, promoting healthy child development, making 

comprehensive health care available to more residents, and providing supportive services to those who 

need them most.

A DEEPER LOOK AT WAYNE COUNTY: COMMUNITY STRENGTHS

Residents of Wayne County have a long tradition of relying on each other and local resources to address 

challenges. They do this by partnering with other organizations—often across sectors—and sharing 

resources creatively. Their sense of community pride translates into a range of efforts to support 

community health. 

During the field work for this case study, several factors were identified that may have contributed to

better-than-expected results in Wayne County:

 Community partnerships and social connections: Sharing of resources to improve the health 

and condition of residents was evident across organizations in different sectors. Community 

organizations and religious groups routinely work together, strengthening the sense of community 

and the relationships between health care and other sectors. 

 Strengthening and integration of health services: Traditional health service providers improve 

access to and coordinate care, but their targeted support of at-risk groups, such as youth and 

people with mental and behavioral health issues, stands out. This targeted support helps to 

balance and integrate other services into the realm of health care delivery.

 A focus on healthy foods: The “Kentucky Proud” farming philosophy extends into official 

programs and supports the production and consumption of local fresh produce and products. This 

innate mindset contributes to a shared value of health.

 Social support programs: Local nonprofits help people rebuild lives and family structures.

As in the other Bright Spot communities explored in this report, people here have worked to elevate 

physical, social, and economic health in several ways. Field work undertaken for this report identified

local practices in Wayne County that appear to be contributing to overall health, documented effective 

practices that could be replicated in other counties, and identified promising practices and strategies that 

 

2 Table 12 in the Wayne County data appendix at the end of this case study provides a quantitative profile of county 

characteristics.
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should be explored further.3 Their approaches fall into four overarching categories observed in other 

Bright Spot counties: leadership, cross-sector collaboration, resource sharing, and local providers 

committed to public health.

Community Leaders Engaged in Health Initiatives

Wayne County benefits from strong leadership. Notably, the Wayne County Health Department, which is 

part of the Lake Cumberland District Health Department, and the University of Kentucky Wayne County 

Cooperative Extension Service have played critical roles in improving community health.

For example, the county health department has led the way in expanding access to healthy foods for 

seniors and recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 

(WIC) by issuing vouchers redeemable at the weekly local farmers’ market. In fact, the farmers’ market 

redeems 59 percent of the department’s WIC vouchers. Part of this success is attributed to an emphasis on 

local food culture and encouraging residents to buy homegrown “Kentucky Proud” produce.

In addition, the health department has moved aggressively to combat the epidemic of diabetes affecting so 

many Wayne County residents. It offers a free diabetes prevention class, as well as other classes to 

educate people with diabetes and their families on the importance of maintaining healthy blood sugar 

levels and on how to better manage diabetes through healthy eating and cooking.

Another health department initiative, the HANDS Program, may contribute to better-than-expected rates 

of infant mortality and low-birth-weight births in Wayne County. HANDS is a volunteer home visitation 

program for new and expectant parents that provides education, connects families to services they may 

need, and promotes child safety and development.

The extension service promotes community health and well-being through a range of initiatives, including 

programs for better nutrition, weight loss, worksite wellness, career readiness, life skills, and women’s 

health, as well as health fairs and an afterschool walking club. A “Local Ingredients” program with the 

Future Farmers of America, 4-H, and the Master Gardeners club grows vegetables on four acres for public 

schools and saved the school system an estimated $24,000 in 2016 while increasing students’ 

consumption of fresh produce. A drug prevention program sponsored by the extension service not only 

deters young people from using drugs, but has also created new community partnerships among law 

enforcement, juvenile justice services, and the local women’s 

club. A recent campaign brought together nearly 200 

volunteers to educate school-age kids on drugs and alcohol.

Other groups mentioned as playing leadership roles include 

the Wayne County Health Coalition, whose members work 

together to address pressing health issues, and the Adanta 

Group Wayne County Mental Health Center, a private, 

nonprofit service provider addressing mental health, 

developmental and intellectual disabilities, and substance use 

disorders. Adanta’s programs for kids and adults range from 

 

3 For a full explanation of the methodology, see Appendix B: Research Approach. For a list of key informants 

interviewed for this county, see Table 13 in the data appendix at the end of this case study. © Joyce Pinson 

Melissa Jones, team leader, Adanta Group 

Wayne County Mental Health Center
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case management to linking clients to social services, such as transportation or housing support for the 

homeless.

Jody Paver, University of Kentucky Extension Service agent for family and consumer sciences, is seen as 

a primary influencer of health and wellness initiatives in the county, as are Vicky Albertson, a nurse for 

the health department, and Melissa Jones, of Adanta. These three women play leadership roles in various 

health initiatives and in ensuring that residents get education and services necessary for maintaining and 

improving their health. They expressed optimism for Wayne County’s future, citing stepped-up efforts to 

ensure access to comprehensive and continuous care, the success of the farmers’ market, increased 

opportunities for physical activity like new sidewalks and hiking trails, and a recent public vote to 

maintain the county’s “dry” status as signs of progress.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Resource Sharing

In Wayne County, researchers found a pattern of cooperation and willingness to share resources among 

government, private, and nonprofit groups. Working together, these groups leverage their strengths to 

achieve their common goal of improving health and well-being for county residents.

These efforts are exemplified by the 

connection between the Cooperative Extension 

Service and various nonprofit groups. For 

example, the extension service works closely 

with the Hope Center, a nonprofit operated by

the Wayne County Association of Ministers 

and Churches since 1987 that serves homeless

people, the elderly, single mothers, victims of 

domestic abuse, and other people in need, to 

promote healthy eating. People seeking 

assistance at the Hope Center are required to 

complete six educational classes before they 

can access the food bank. The Hope Center is a 

certified partner of Feeding America–

Kentucky’s Heartland, which distributes 

donated food and groceries to people in 42 

Kentucky counties. Support for the Hope Center from local churches and the extension service shows a 

strong link between faith-based and government groups. In addition, the health department partners with 

the extension service, along with religious organizations, on diabetes education. Aware of the drug-related 

issues plaguing the area, county and local officials are active in youth development.

Wayne County Hospital partners with city officials, economic development organizations, the 

Cooperative Extension Service, and the school system to provide insight on the health needs of the 

community. These partnerships supplement the delivery of health care services by informing health needs 

assessments.

The Wayne County school district also plays a key role in health promotion and illness prevention. The 

schools partner with the health department to provide certain primary care services. Adanta mental health 

services are available in the schools, offering opportunities to improve mental and behavioral health for 

the school-age population.

© Joyce Pinson 

Sally Sumner, director of the Hope Center
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Wayne County has a small network of religious nonprofits and government agencies that maximize 

limited resources to provide for those in need. They are a safety net for many residents. These groups not 

only take care of less fortunate residents, but they also reinforce positive self-help behaviors through 

religion and outreach. 

Organizations like the Hope Center and the House of Blessings, a soup kitchen and shelter funded by a 

network of 20 local churches, use donations and volunteers to provide food, clothing, and necessities for 

economically disadvantaged residents of Wayne County. Both centers work with the health department 

and extension service to teach skills fostering self-reliance. Each program thus serves as a stepping stone 

to independence.

The Wayne County Health Council (the main branch of the Wayne County health coalition) is a group of 

women working together in what appears to be a seamless collaboration. Members meet to develop their 

individual yearly work plans, working to reduce 

duplication of services and find synergies to strengthen 

health initiatives. The group is focused and business-like, 

adhering to clearly-defined meeting schedules. 

Local churches are involved with philanthropic

organizations within the county, and they provide support 

for community members through the ministerial 

association. A local Catholic nun, Sister Ann Kernan, 

started a support group for women called Mountain 

Moms. The group has served as a resource for Wayne 

County women for more than two decades and 

coordinates closely with the extension service, sometimes 

even providing transportation for residents who need it.

Local Providers Committed to Public Health

Wayne County’s health care network consists of the health department and its related services, as well as 

several doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and Wayne County Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital. In 

addition to a full complement of laboratory and imaging services, the hospital has a rural health clinic and 

a physical therapy/rehabilitation department. Coordinated activities between the health department and 

the hospital work to balance illness prevention and education with acute care delivery. These partnerships

have produced nutrition fairs, health education and awareness classes, health promotion, and screenings.

Adanta and Intrust Healthcare, both part of larger networks outside Wayne County, offer mental and 

behavioral health services, such as counseling, case management, and substance abuse treatment. They 

also offer supportive services, including housing, and coordinate their efforts with the school and court 

systems.

Medicaid largely funds both organizations. Referrals come from family physicians, social services, courts,

and schools, with the occasional walk-in. The referral network and closeness of the community allow 

both organizations to reach their target populations, but lack of transportation is a barrier to services for 

many residents. Given the challenges these organizations face, collaboration and pooling resources, along 

with creative outreach, are necessary. 

School-based health centers also serve as primary centers for preventive and clinical care and are staffed 

with either a nurse or a nurse practitioner who works to keep students healthy and learning. As © Joyce Pinson 

Sister Ann Kernan, leader of the Mountain Moms

support group
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mentioned, mental and behavioral health services from Adanta are available in schools, and some school 

nurses provide preventive dental services (such as sealant placement) for school-age children.

CREATING A CULTURE OF HEALTH IN WAYNE COUNTY

Despite the challenges it faces, Wayne County has strong champions for community health from local 

government agencies, nonprofit service providers, health care organizations, and faith-based groups.

These leaders are working together in creative, resourceful ways to improve quality of life for all 

residents. They have identified pressing health issues, such as diabetes and opioid use, as well as 

vulnerable groups, including youth and people with mental and behavioral health issues, in need of 

targeted support. Sharing of limited resources is an important and effective strategy for advancing health

in Wayne County.

Community connectedness here is strong; people believe in helping each other, as reflected in residents’ 

participation in volunteer activities and in the presence of social support groups. This sense of community 

also manifests in local pride in “eating local”—and healthfully. 

By pooling their efforts for the good of the community, people in Wayne County have created a whole 

that is greater than the sum of its parts.
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REFERENCES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2011. “Chapter 9: Access to Health Care, 2011 National 

Healthcare Quality Report.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqr11/chap9.html

Commonwealth of Kentucky. 2017. Wayne County Welcome.

http://waynecounty.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Holmes, G. Mark, Nancy M. Lane, Thomas A. Arcury, Michael L. Schwalbe, Randy Randolph, John 

Frank, Sharita Thomas, et. al. 2018. Identifying Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis.

Washington, D.C.: Appalachian Regional Commission.

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. 2015. Wayne County Community Profile. July 10. 

Accessed July 11, 2017. 

http://www.thinkkentucky.com/cmnty/BusInd.aspx?cw=076

Marshall, Julie L., Logan Thomas, Nancy M. Lane, G. Mark Holmes, Thomas A. Arcury, Randy 

Randolph, Pam Silberman, et al. 2017. Health Disparities in Appalachia. Appalachian Regional 

Commission. 
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APPENDIX: WAYNE COUNTY DATA

Table 12: Wayne County Characteristics

Characteristic Wayne County United States

Population, 2010–2014 20,728 314,107,084

Percent population change, 2010–2015 -1.7% 4.1%

Median age, 2015 41.7 37.8

Percent of persons over age 65, 2015 18.4% 14.9%

Median household income, 2014 $30,619 $ 56,135

Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2015 

dollars), 2011–2015 $15,475 $ 28,930

Unemployment rate, 2014 9.7% 6.2%

Percent persons in poverty, 2014 26.2% 15.6%

Percent white alone, 2015 96.0% 77.1%

Percent black alone, 2015 2.0% 13.3%

Percent adults with at least some college, 2010–

2014 35.7% 63.27%

Distance to nearest large population center from 

county center Somerset, KY – 32.5 mi. N/A

ARC designations, fiscal year 2017 Distressed

Central Appalachia N/A

Source: These data are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 

2014, and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey Selected Social Characteristics, General Economic 

Characteristics, Demographic and Housing Characteristics, and Educational Attainment Tables for years 2010–2014 

and 2011–2015.
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Table 13: Wayne County Key Informants

Name Location Title Organization Interview 

Date

Lashel Hodges Monticello Case Manager / 

Counselor Intrust Healthcare 09/28/2016

Melissa Jones Monticello Team Leader Adanta Group Wayne County 

Mental Health Center 09/28/2016

Jody Paver Monticello

Family and 

Consumer Sciences 

Extension Agent

University of Kentucky 

Cooperative Extension 

Service – Wayne County

09/28/2016

Vicky Albertson, RN Monticello Diabetes Educator Wayne County Health 

Department 09/29/2016

Sister Ann Kernan Monticello Leader of Mountain 

Moms St. Peter Catholic Church 09/29/2016

Sally Sumner Monticello Director The Hope Center 09/29/2016
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Table 14: Wayne County Health Outcomes – Actual vs. Predicted

Outcome Measure Actual Predicted

Percentage 

Difference

(negative = 

better)

Poisoning mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014 20.73 32.30 -35.8%

Stroke mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014 35.20 53.66 -34.4%

Heart disease hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare 

beneficiaries, 2012 47.50 67.64 -29.8%

Percentage of Medicare beneficiaries w/ depression, 

2012 13.90% 18.73% -25.8%

Years of potential life lost, 2011–2013 8,981 11,904 -24.6%

Injury mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014 61.07 78.99 -22.7%

Low-birth-weight births (<2,500g) per 1,000 births, 

2007-2013 7.82 9.72 -19.6%

Heart disease mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–

2014 229.71 261.81 -12.3%

Infant mortality per 1,000 births, 2008–2014 7.21 8.14 -11.4%

Suicide mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014 16.53 18.35 -9.9%

Average Medicare condition score, 2013 0.93 1.03 -9.8%

COPD mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014 74.83 81.49 -8.2%

Percentage of excessive drinkers, 2014 10.40% 11.22% -7.3%

Percentage of adults with diabetes, 2012 13.00% 13.91% -6.5%

Cancer mortality per 100,000 people, 2008–2014 204.48 215.92 -5.3%

Mentally unhealthy days per month per person, 2014 4.60 4.70 -2.2%

Percentage of obese adults (>30 BMI), 2012 35.1% 34.2% 2.6%

Physically unhealthy days per month per person, 2014 5.40 5.25 2.8%

Opioid prescriptions as a percent of Part D claims, 

2013 8.12 6.82 19.1%

Notes:

Percentage Difference = 100 * [ (Actual / Predicted) – 1]

Green = County value was better than predicted

For details on the outcome measures, see the data files accompanying the report Identifying Bright Spots in 

Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis.
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Table 15: Wayne County Health Drivers vs. National Median

Driver Measure Lower is 

Better?

National

Median

Wayne 

County

Air pollution (average daily particulate matter 2.5), 

2011 Yes 11.87 13.40 

Average travel time to work in minutes, 2010–2014 Yes 22.82 21.32 

Chlamydia incidence rate per 100,000, 2013 Yes 287.16 201.69 

Dentists per 100,000 population, 2014 No 37.45 29.33 

Economic index, fiscal year 2017 Yes 108.79 185.31 

Full-service restaurants per 1,000, 2012 No 0.68 0.38 

Grocery stores per 1,000 residents, 2012 No 0.20 0.19 

Median household income, 2014 No $45,226.00 $30,619.00 

Mental health providers per 100,000 population, 2015 No 80.00 68.49 

Percentage of adults currently smoking, 2014 Yes 17.8% 25.0%

Percentage of adults not physically active, 2012 Yes 27.7% 35.3%

Percentage of adults with at least some college, 

2010–2014 No 56.3% 35.7%

Income inequality ratio,4 2010–2014 Yes 4.4% 4.8%

Percentage of diabetics with A1C testing, 2012 No 85.4% 84.7%

Percentage of doctors who e-prescribe, 2014 No 65.0% 42.0%

Percentage of eligibles enrolled in SNAP, 2014 No 78.0% 85.0%

Percentage of households with income below poverty, 

2014 Yes 15.8% 26.2%

Percentage of Medicare women with recent 

mammogram, 2013 No 61.0% 52.0%

Percentage of population with access to places for 

physical activity, 2011 and 2014 No 61.9% 28.2%

Percentage of total population in social assistant jobs, 

2013 N/A 0.01% 0.01%

Percentage receiving disability OASDI and/or SSI, 

2014 Yes 5.4% 15.2%

Percentage spending >30% of income on housing, 

2010–2014 Yes 29.0% 30.2%

Percentage w/ no car, low access, 2010–2014 Yes 19.7% 13.2%

 

4 Income inequality is the ratio of household income at the 80th percentile to that at the 20th percentile. A higher 

ratio reflects greater division between the top and the bottom of the income spectrum.
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Driver Measure Lower is 

Better?

National

Median

Wayne 

County

Primary care physicians per 100,000 population, 2013 No 48.54 67.57 

Social associations per 10,000 population, 2013 No 12.68 7.25 

Specialist physicians per 100,000 population, 2013 No 25.93 4.82 

Students per teacher, 2013–2014 Yes 14.13 16.84 

Teenage births per 1,000, 2007–2013 Yes 39.96 74.12 

Uninsured rate for people under 65, 2013 Yes 17.24 19.97 

Notes:

Green = County value was better than national median

For details on the driver measures, see the data files accompanying the report Identifying Bright Spots in 

Appalachian Health: Statistical Analysis.