Behavioral Health Education Series to launch in 2024

The Cambria-Somerset Health and Wellness Committee has partnered with Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) at Penn State College of Medicine to launch a learning series for healthcare providers.

The goal for the series is to obtain the knowledge and resources needed to meet the needs of patients with behavioral health disorders.

The educational sessions will connect a multi-disciplinary team of specialists with community providers on a variety of behavioral health-related topics.

Project ECHO is no cost and CME-eligible and will cover topics such as: managing medications, trauma informed care, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, medical marijuana, geriatric behavioral disturbances, collaborative care relationships, and anxiety disorders.

The sessions will take place via zoom from 12 - 1 p.m. on the following 2024 dates: January 30, February 13 and 27, March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 7 and 21, and June 24.

CPH receives grants for college food initiative

CPH is the recent recipient of a $3,800 grant from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and a $2,600 grant from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which will support a college food security initiative.  

Four regional colleges, including the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, St. Francis University, and Mount Aloysius, are collaborating with the CPH on this project. The primary goal of the initiative is to alleviate one of the many pressures placed on college students who may be food insecure and help eliminate this potential barrier to their academic success.   

On campus food pantries are being added and expanded. In addition, student access to information regarding SNAP benefits will be provided in hopes of expanding participation. A food insecurity survey will be circulated, and the goal is to increase retention and scores among low-income students.

CPH was able to connect the Johnstown Housing Authority with Giant Eagle Pharmacy to provide on-location Covid/flu vaccines to the residents in Town House Tower, Connor Tower, and Vine Street Tower before the holidays.

Center staff attended Johnstown's Vision Together 2025's Community Meeting in December.

Great updates on health and wellness and other amazing initiatives happening in Johnstown were shared.

Hyndman Area Health Center's mobile health unit was open for tours.

Newsletter

Highlights

Behavioral Health Education Series

College food security initiative

Health-related social needs differ from social determinants of health

Home Test to Treat Program

Covid/Flu vaccines taken to JHA locations

'Home Test to Treat Program' expanded

The "Home Test to Treat Program" has been expanded by the federal government.

The all-virtual community health program offers free COVID-19 health services (at-home rapid tests, telehealth sessions, and at-home treatments) to eligible participants.

Home Test to Treat is a collaboration between National Institutes of Health, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The program will offer free testing, telehealth and treatment for both COVID-19 and influenza (flu) A and B.

To arrange an interview, contact nibibpress@mail.nih.gov or call 301-496-3500.

Health-related social needs are more immediate

Understanding how social determinants of health (SDOH) and health-related social needs (HRSN) affect a person’s overall health is critical to reducing health disparities.

While SDOH is the broad term for social conditions, health-related social needs are more immediate needs for an individual or family. HRSNs include housing insecurity, food insecurity, or lack of reliable transportation, which can lead to decreased health.

During this holiday season, we'd like to share a special thank you to our community for the continued support of our work at the Center for Population Health.

We hope that you and your loved ones stay well, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the new year to improve the health of our communities. Blessings to you and your families.