Rural Project Examples Addressing Networking and collaboration

Healthy Places for Healthy People in Monett
Updated/reviewed December 2019

Need: Monett, Missouri's high tobacco use rates, lack of access to fresh foods, limited walkability and bikeability, and aging downtown infrastructure were all affecting residents' health.
Intervention: With planning assistance from Healthy Places for Healthy People, CoxHealth Monett led a coalition to revitalize downtown infrastructure and create opportunities for healthy living.
Results: Changes have helped to improve patient health, increase exercise opportunities, enhance downtown, and engage Monett's Hispanic population.

HopeWest
Updated/reviewed May 2019

Need: To provide easily-accessible and affordable services to address the challenges associated with aging, serious illness and grief across Western Colorado's rural counties.
Intervention: A nonprofit, community-sustained healthcare model was created to address serious illness care and grief needs of adults and children.
Results: Since 1993, HopeWest has helped more than 22,000 hospice patients and families in need and has grown to serve five counties.

Healthy Men Michigan
Updated/reviewed April 2019

Need: Mental health assistance and resources for men in rural Michigan who struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts.
Intervention: The Healthy Men Michigan campaign was a research study testing online screening for depression, including irritability and anger, and suicide in working-aged men. The Healthy Men Michigan campaign website also offers referrals to local and national resources specific to men's mental health.
Results: More than 5,000 individuals completed anonymous online screenings and 550 men enrolled in the study. Healthy Men Michigan secured partnerships with over 225 individual and organizational partners, including healthcare facilities, small businesses, and recreational groups across the state. Together, their efforts have helped to promote screenings, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behavior to prevent suicide.

Genesee and Orleans County Cross Jurisdictional Sharing Project (GO Health)
Updated/reviewed January 2019

Need: Two rural upstate New York counties struggled to provide necessary public health leadership and services amid a fluid environment with rising costs and funding limitations.
Intervention: The Genesee County and Orleans County health departments began a cross jurisdictional sharing relationship that integrated select functions and services, beginning with sharing a director and deputy director.
Results: By sharing personnel and functions, management personnel costs have been cut in half and both counties have saved over $1 million for the counties combined.

HCC of Lafayette County's Heath Information Technology Workgroup
Updated/reviewed January 2019

Need: To ensure the quality and sustainability of rural West Central Missouri's health services through the use of technology.
Intervention: The Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County convened a Health Information Technology (HIT) workgroup to establish electronic medical and prescription records, telemedicine capabilities, and training for Lafayette County and surrounding areas.
Results: The workgroup fully equipped a local emergency department with HIT, launched electronic prescriptions for nearly a dozen Lafayette County providers, and identified acute needs hindering the adoption of electronic health records.

Foundations Family Medicine's HIV, HCV, Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Services
Added November 2018

Need: Due to the opioid crisis, Austin, Indiana has seen the largest concentrated outbreak of HIV in rural America's recent history. Since 2015, over 200 residents have been diagnosed with the virus.
Intervention: Foundations Family Medicine began offering testing and treatment services for HIV, hepatitis C, and opioid/substance use disorder. Education, care coordination and behavioral health services were also offered as an integrated part of their primary care clinic.
Results: Although the virus continues to spread throughout Scott County, the rate has significantly decreased, outdoing national suppression rates by a large margin (76% compared to national average of 49%).

Local Foods, Local Places in Williamson
Added October 2018

Need: In Williamson, West Virginia, access to fresh produce is limited.
Intervention: Williamson Health & Wellness Center, an FQHC, created a community garden, launched a weekly farmers market, connected local farmers to food entrepreneurs, and created a hub that launches ideas for healthy living.
Results: Residents' access to healthy foods has made a difference in their health and lifestyles.

Rural Project Examples: Networking and collaboration