Population health management is an approach that aims to improve the health of an entire population. It has been described as consisting of three components. These are "health outcomes, patterns of health determinants, and policies and interventions."

In the U.S., the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are estimated to account for 70% of avoidable mortality and 60% to 80% of healthcare costs. The SDOH include all the factors: social, environmental, cultural and physical that one is born into, grows up and functions with throughout their lifetimes which potentially have a measurable impact on the health of human populations.

The Population Health Division has three subdivisions, each with a different focus: the Community-Based Health Intervention™ addresses the socio-economic issues and social determinants that prevent an individual from being able to focus on their healthcare; evidence-based self-management education that teaches workshop participants how to self-manage their chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD and reduce the risk of falls; and an employee assistance program to help employers better respond to the needs of their employed caregivers. Programming also teaches caregivers how to deal with issues related to their caregiving responsibilities such as stress reduction, managing emotions, and the use of community resources.

 

As the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for the region, Buckeye Hills is partnering with ODOT on the Transit Tech Ohio grant in the region. The project is working to improve communications, scheduling and dispatching of more than 30 rural transit operators located across the state and to expand broadband into areas of Ohio with insufficient broadband access. In the Buckeye Hills region, the project is coordinating efforts in Monroe, Morgan, Perry & Washington counties.

"Ohio Transit systems are challenged with scheduling and dispatching issues, especially in rural areas where cellular and broadband services are limited," said Buckeye Hills Transportation Coordinator Karen Palowski. "We are pleased to work with ODOT to improve efficiency throughout our transit programs."

Shown at a meeting with Monroe County officials and residents is Jane Miller, Transit Tech project manager. Funding for the Transit Tech Ohio project was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the 2015 TIGER grant program.


In conjunction with an organization called Yay Bikes! that works to increase the number of bicycle trips and decrease the number of bicycle crashes in Ohio, Transportation staff from Buckeye Hills, the Meigs County Health Department, EMS and civic leaders from Imagine Pomeroy toured the villages of Pomeroy and Middleport to determine needs for bicycle safety.

 

The Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee and the staff worked to raise awareness of the issue of Elder Abuse during June with the passage of a Resolution and by wearing purple.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), on June 15, also serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders.

Buckeye Hills staff donned purple on June 15 to raise awareness of the issue of elder abuse.

 

The Ohio Development Services Agency and Buckeye Hills Regional Council will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1 until August 31, 2017.

 

"July and August can be two extremely hot months in Ohio, and that can take a toll on older Ohioans and Ohioans with breathing conditions," said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

 

"Seniors can seek support by calling 800-331-2644 or their local community action program," said Cathy Ash, LSW, Caregiver Advocacy Program Manager for Buckeye Hills.

 

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health. Conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.

 

Eligible households can receive up to $300 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $500 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill or applied to central air conditioning repair costs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $43,050.

 

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the program, but are encouraged to work with Buckeye Hills Regional Council to identify other opportunities for assistance.

 

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program locally, Buckeye Hills Regional Council at 1-800-331-2644. Additional information can also be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0880. To enroll, contact your local Community Action Program, as noted below.