Community Health Connections
May 2022 - Vol.3, Issue 5
Live in Cambria or Somerset County? Take the Community Health Needs Assessment now!
Conemaugh Health System (CHS), The United Way of the Laurel Highlands (UWLH), 1889 Foundation, and 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health have launched a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which will provide a rich foundation for improving and promoting the health of each community member in Cambria and Somerset counties. The CHNA is a systematic collection, assembly, analysis, and dissemination of information about the comprehensive health of the community. Its role is to identify factors that negatively affect the health of a population and determine the availability of resources within the community to adequately address those factors.
 
As part of this assessment, we are conducting a community health survey – 38 short questions. We greatly value your thoughts on the health needs of your community, so please take a few minutes now and answer the following anonymous survey. The survey will be analyzed by Stratasan, our community health needs assessment partner. Thank you for your time.
 
The focus of the community health needs assessment is Cambria County and Somerset County.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Every year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with at least one mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly 1 in 5 (52.9 million in 2020) adults in the United States have a mental illness.

One of the parameters of the County Health Rankings is mental health providers to the population. In the 2022 rankings:
  • Pennsylvania – One mental health provider to 420 people
  • Cambria County – One mental health provider to 460 people (278 mental health providers)
  • Somerset County – One mental health provider to 900 people (81 mental health providers)
HUB Community Health Workers help participants establish Medical Homes
Establishing a Medical Home for a participant is one of the 21 Pathways the Community Care HUB’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) will focus on.

According to the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), a medical home “is best described as a model or philosophy of primary care that is patient-centered, comprehensive, team-based, coordinated, accessible, and focused on quality and safety.”
HUB, GJSD celebrate one year of enrollment
To wrap up the first year partnership between the Community Care HUB and the Greater Johnstown School District, an End of Year Celebration was held at the Greater Johnstown YMCA May 20.

Families enrolled in the HUB were given dinner from Flood City Café, then the children were able to blow off some energy by using the YMCA’s facilities, which included the gymnastics room. The kids practiced their ninja warrior skills on an obstacle course, lifted weights, and climbed the rope wall.
Transportation affects every SDOH
Transportation as a Social Determinant of Health (SDOH) affects nearly every other SDOH because it hinders access to needed services, whether it be a doctor’s appointment, trip to the grocery store, and many other places.

Cambria County is mostly rural, but has a small urban pocket. According to a Stacker.com article, Cambria County is 90.8% or 625 square miles rural compared to 9.2% urban or 63 square miles. Somerset County is 98.6% or 1,059 square miles rural compared to 1.4% or 15 square miles urban.

Unique transportation and health problems exist in both rural and urban areas, though.
News Bites
ACP provides eligible households $30 off Internet bills through participating companies
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households with a high-speed Internet plan for no more than $30 per month.

There are 3 ways to qualify:
  1. Income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  2. Meet the eligibility requirements for a participating broadband provider existing low-income Internet program
  3. Someone participates in one of the following programs: SNAP, WIC, SSI, FPHA, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program, Federal Pell Grant (received in the current award year), Lifeline, Certain Tribal assistance programs

Signing up is easy and can be done online, by mail, or through a service provider.
WalkWorks Wednesdays is back in Downtown Johnstown!
WalkWorks Wednesdays has returned! Meet us at the Cambria County Library (corner of Walnut and Main streets) at noon on Wednesdays (April 27 through June 1) for fun conversations and a great afternoon walk.
1889 JCPH hosting event at Johnstown Mill Rats baseball game
The 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health is teaming up with the Johnstown Mill Rats baseball team to host a Health and Wellness/Social Services night Friday, July 8.

The night out is an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the health, wellness, and social services available to them.

Stop by and learn more about the services all while taking in a ball game!

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