Community Health Connections

January 2023 - Vol.4, Issue 1

Greetings and Happy 2023!

In 2022, the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health (CPH) worked hard to continue to serve the residents of Cambria and Somerset counties.

We launched a partnership with the Cambria County Drug Coalition to hold Wellness Wednesdays at Johnstown Housing Authority communities and other subsidized housing communities in the county. Through these events, health and social service agencies take information on services available directly to the communities through small health and resource fairs.

The Community Care HUB reached its 1,000th referral in November. We also gained two new collaborations with managed care organizations who refer participants to the HUB.

In our 2022 Annual Report, you will read about all of this and more!

View our 2022 Annual Report

CPH partners with Highmark Wholecare to improve member outcomes

Highmark Wholecare, formerly Gateway Health, a leading managed care organization dedicated to caring for the total health of its members, and the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health (CPH) have partnered to improve diabetes health outcomes and reduce health disparities for Highmark Wholecare members living in Cambria and Somerset Counties.

The Community Care HUB, implemented by the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health, offers community-based care coordination for a variety of at-risk individuals. The Community Care HUB follows the Pathways Community HUB model developed by the Pathways Community HUB Institute. The HUB model addresses and mitigates risk factors associated with poor health outcomes.

Find out more about the partnership

GJSD guidance counselor describes HUB experience as 'first class'

Tell us a little bit about your experience with the HUB staff and CHWs.

Our experience has been first class! Phenomenal staff and CHWs who truly have a passion for their positions. The staff is accessible and provides us with nothing but excellence. The HUB staff and CHWs remain constantly in touch with one another and us to ensure the success of our students and their families.

Read more of Don's thoughts

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This month, take time to learn what can be done to lower the risk of cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer was once a leading cause of death for women in the United States, but the cancer’s impact has reduced due to the diligence of screening and prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies two tests that help prevent or find cervical cancer early:

A Pap Test, or Pap Smear, looks for precancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately
The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes

According to the CDC, the first Pap test should be at age 21. If that test result is normal, the individual can wait three years for the next test.

Learn more about cervical cancer

What is population health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “Population Health” as “an opportunity for health care systems, agencies and organizations to work together in order to improve the health outcomes of the communities they serve.”

Simply explained, population health is the study of health outcomes found in a group of individuals and can often be used to determine the overall health of a community.

Learn more about population health

News Bites

Wellness Wednesdays brings resources to Johnstown Housing Authority communities

The 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health (CPH) and the Cambria County Drug Coalition (CCDC) are joining forces to bring resource information to individuals living in the Johnstown Housing Authority communities with “Wellness Wednesdays”.

Organizations are invited to attend these events to provide information on resources available to help address their health and human service needs.

In addition, Highlands Health will provide COVID-19 Pfizer boosters for members of the public ages 12 and older. Individuals who receive a first dose vaccine or booster at these events will also receive a $50 Giant Eagle gift card. Vaccine card showing dates of previous vaccinations must be shown at time of receiving booster.

The events are open to the public.

If your organization would like to be a part of these new events, contact allison.byers@jefferson.edu.

View the Wellness Wednesdays schedule

Cambria-Somerset COVID-19 Task Force releases infromational videos

The Cambria-Somerset COVID-19 Task Force has partnered with In This Together Cambria-Somerset to release a series of informational videos reminding the public to "Stay Aware" of COVID-19.

The short videos feature the latest information as well as testimonials from those affected by COVID-19.

Watch the videos

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