Utah Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Effective Examples

New Mexico Mobile Screening Program for Miners
Updated/reviewed December 2020

• Need: To increase access to medical screening for miners in New Mexico.
• Intervention: A mobile screening clinic with telemedicine capability screens miners for respiratory and other conditions.
• Results: In a survey, 92% of miners reported their care as very good, while the other 8% reported it as good. The program has expanded to three other states.

Other Project Examples

Canyon Creek Services
Updated/reviewed February 2022

• Need: To reduce and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault in Utah's rural Beaver, Garfield, and Iron counties.
• Intervention: Canyon Creek Services provides a 24/7 emergency hotline, emergency shelter, hospital response, crisis intervention, housing advocacy, and community education services.
• Results: In 2021, CCS served 739 survivors, with 172 of them accessing the emergency shelter. CCS reached 259,036 people through community outreach and prevention campaigns.

Hope Squad
Updated/reviewed March 2021

• Need: To reduce youth suicide rates.
• Intervention: Hope Squad is a nationwide program that trains youth to look after their classmates and refer those with suicidal thoughts or other mental health concerns to adult advisors.
• Results: Studies suggest that Hope Squad schools' students with suicidal thoughts are more likely than non-Hope Squad schools' students to solicit help and that stigma surrounding mental illness is decreasing.

Utah Rural Independent Hospital Network
Updated/reviewed April 2019

• Need: To help ensure the viability of and improve quality at 9 rural, independent hospitals serving 11 Utah counties.
• Intervention: A network organization was created to allow member hospitals to communicate, network, and undertake projects together.
• Results: Members take advantage of cost savings, education, and networking opportunities through group projects and programs.

Western Healthcare Alliance Laboratory Services Network
Updated/reviewed December 2018

• Need: Increased efficiency for medical laboratory testing in rural western Colorado and Utah hospitals.
• Intervention: Creation of a network for education, operational consulting, best practice development, and group contracting with discounted services for hospital laboratories.
• Results: Lower laboratory testing costs with improved quality, efficiency, and turnaround times leading to increased healthcare quality.

Wholesome Rx
Updated/reviewed June 2018

• Need: A tangible way for providers to increase patients' access to affordable healthy food.
• Intervention: With Wholesome Rx, a fruit and vegetable prescription program, providers prescribe vouchers for patients to redeem for fruits and vegetables at local healthy food retailers.
• Results: Over 10,000 people have received Wholesome Rx prescriptions in rural and urban areas across 10 states.