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

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.

Canyon Creek Services
Updated/reviewed February 2021

• 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.
• Results: From July 2019 to June 2020, CCS served 770 survivors, with 165 of them seeking emergency shelter. CCS presented within the community 101 different times with over 19,000 participants.

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.