HealtheConnections Receives Funding to Help Prevent and Control Chronic Disease Across Central New York
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last week that $7 million was awarded to four organizations in New York state that are working to prevent and control obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The grant, originating with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be dispersed to the four awardees over the next three years. HealtheConnections will receive $2.05 million to implement improvements in six Central New York counties, identified by the New York State Department of Health, with high rates of chronic disease including Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.
The award is being administered through the New York State Department of Health’s Local Initiatives for Multi Sector Public Health Action, or Local IMPACT, program. This program supports the statewide goals of improving population health, transforming health care delivery and reducing health disparities. It aligns with current state health initiatives, including the Prevention Agenda, the State Health Innovation Plan (SHIP), Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program, the Population Health Improvement Program (PHIP), and the Statewide Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY). HealtheConnections is a partner with three regional DSRIP programs, the regional PHIP agent for Central New York and a regional state accredited entity of the SHIN-NY.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to leverage our experience in population health improvement, provider engagement, and health data analytics for Local IMPACT,” said Rob Hack, President and CEO of HealtheConnections. “The work associated with this award is a natural extension of our role as neutral convener and health improvement organization for the region, along with our valued partner organizations, to improve the health of both the general population, as well as populations experiencing health disparities.”
To carry out this initiative, HealtheConnections will partner with organizations from each of the six identified counties. Partners include Cayuga County Community Health Network, Seven Valleys Health Coalition of Cortland County, Herkimer County HealthNet, Central New York Health Home Inc. of Oneida County, Onondaga County Health Department, and Oswego County Rural Health Network. HealtheConnections will also collaborate with other organizations, including pharmacies, health care providers, and higher education, across the region who will lend their support and expertise to the program.
Local IMPACT will utilize a multi-faceted approach, impacting both the health care delivery system and the community at large simultaneously. Activities pertaining to health care delivery will include increased adoption of technology, practice facilitation, the engagement of community health workers, and improved referral between health care and community based resources. In community settings, activities will include improving access to healthy food, promoting physical activity, and working with institutions such as worksites and hospitals to improve their nutrition standards. Participation in the National Diabetes Prevention Program and other pertinent programs is also a core activity of the grant.
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and asthma, are the leading causes of death, disability and rising health care costs in New York State and in Central New York. They account for approximately 60 percent of all deaths in the state and affect the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers.
