COUDERSPORT — New resources released by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky offer a fresh approach to understanding health in Appalachia by focusing on community strengths and identifying local factors supporting a Culture of Health.
These resources include a case study of Potter County and nine other “Bright Spot” counties within the 420 Appalachian counties who defied predictions for health with better-than-expected outcomes.
The Exploring Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Case Studies describe the people and community-focused strategies, programs, and activities that are working to improve health in ten Appalachian counties, including Potter County.
Throughout the case study, UPMC Cole is prominently featured for its work in creating a culture of health for its communities and is mentioned as being the key agent of orchestrating local cooperation and regional collaboration.
“We are proud to have our success and programs highlighted in this Robert Wood Johnson Foundation sponsored report in delivering the above standard outcomes of health and the depth of services needed by our communities,” said Dave Crandall, board of directors, UPMC Cole.
He continued, “UPMC Cole has advanced beyond a hospital to a health system through both our progressive leadership at all levels and the engagement we have with the communities we serve. Health needs identified with the help of community leaders are either addressed internally or by partnering with other service organizations through the Northern Tier Community Health Collaborative. It is this cooperative environment that unites UPMC Cole with the communities we serve to improve the health of our region.”
While each county featured in the study developed its own approach for addressing local health challenges, the researchers identified several cross-cutting themes:
● Community leaders engaged in health initiatives
● Cross-sector collaboration
● A tradition of resource sharing
● Local health care providers committed to public health
● Active faith communities
● Grassroots initiatives to combat substance abuse
The Northern Tier Community Health Collaborative is the strategic vehicle for improving the overall health of the region by UPMC Cole and its partners. Over the past two years, the collaborative has had a strong focus around substance use disorder and mental health. The research data shows that Potter County is doing better than expected in a number of areas but there is work still to be done. According to the case study, large shortages are reported around dental and mental health professionals, which the collaborative and Cole Memorial Medical Group are currently working to resolve.
“It is wonderful to see Potter County recognized as a ‘Bright Spot’ in community health,” said Judge John Leete. “Over the past few years, the county has had a strong focus on mental health and substance use disorder and significant progress has been made. UPMC Cole and the Northern Tier Community Health Collaborative remain committed to dealing with these issues and many other health outcomes in order to maximize overall community health in this rural area.”
To view the case study, go to www.arc.gov
