Faith-Based Community Partnerships Reaching Vulnerable Populations In Rural Counties

Pennsylvania Rural Health Disparities The demographic, geographic, economic and quality of life issues unique to rural areas can have a significant impact on the health status of rural residents Disparities in educational status, employment and income may require the development of specialized approaches to health improvement. A review of CDC Health Status Indicators show several areas with significant differences between urban and rural areas. Pennsylvania’s public health worker per capita ratio is the lowest among states. There are only ten independent health departments all located in urban areas. Pennsylvania ranks poorly among states for high rates of infectious disease, poor physical health, infant mortality, preventable hospitalizations, cardiovascular and cancer deaths. (Pennsylvania Rural Health Care, Pennsylvania Rural Health Association, August 2010) PA is the 6th most populous state, third for rural residents

Schuylkill County, PA Population 146,920 (2013) Area 778.36 square miles Municipalities 67 School districts 12 public school districts Population distribution One city, Pottsville, has a population over 10,000 Five more communities have populations over 5,000 61 municipalities have populations under 5,000 Schuylkill County was just ranked 61st out of 67 Pennsylvania counties on health outcomes and 49th on health factors. (Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2016) Primary Care Physician ratio: PA 1:1,220; Schuylkill County 1:1,710 Dentist ratio: PA 1:1,550; Schuylkill County: 1:2,430 Mental Health Providers: PA 1:580; Schuylkill County 1:1,550

Faith-Based Community Partnerships There are 178 congregations in Schuylkill County The Interfaith Health Network is a volunteer based coalition of 30 congregations and a number of health providers in Schuylkill County IHN is a strategic partnership of Schuylkill County’s VISION Schuylkill County’s VISION is a 501c(3) that convenes summits and builds coalitions to address critical issues in Schuylkill County Major partners: local office of the PA DOH, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Services, Interfaith Health Network, Schuylkill County’s VISION, Immunization Coalition, VOAD Additional Partners: Schuylkill Health, Christian and Islamic congregations, Penn State Schuylkill Campus, Child Development, Schuylkill Community Action, Meals-on-Wheels. And many other local agencies that send information and provide services

Issues and Assets Issues: Assets: Geographic isolation Poverty and Low Education Elderly Population Churches closings Defunding public health Assets: People Partnerships/Collaboration/Mutual goals Working across silos Ability to get much done with little

Tips on getting started and sustaining Engage those in the community with common goals Convene a coalition around a specific issue Keep the table open, span boundaries Build trust, relationships and networks Respect and address each’s reason for being there Make meetings matter Consider levels of participation 24 hour minutes Backbone organization if possible