Spotlight
Vice President Alison Coates with NCP Radio on Rural Improvement
Our Vice-President Alison Coates, has been at the forefront of advocating for improvements in rural healthcare. In a recent conversation with David Sommerstein at North Country Public Radio , she shed light on the specific challenges faced by rural communities in accessing quality healthcare. Urban-Centric Healthcare According to Coates, the healthcare system in our country was primarily built with urban areas in mind, leading to a mismatch when applied to rural regions. This “one size fits all” approach doesn’t account for the distinct needs of rural communities. Scaling Down Isn’t the Solution The fundamental issue arises from the payment model, which is based on the volume of services provided. In rural areas, where patient numbers are lower, this model doesn...
The Evolution of CACTC into the Rural Health Institute of New York
In an exciting transformation, the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) has evolved to better align with their mission and vision. This nonprofit organization, dedicated to advancing community health, has expanded its focus to include rural public health. With these changes, they proudly introduce their new agency name: The Rural Health Institute of New York (RHI). The Journey from CACTC to RHI CACTC began its journey as a youth prevention coalition in the early 2000s, working tirelessly to prevent youth substance use—a critical aspect of public health. Over the last two decades, their efforts expanded beyond youth substance use prevention to encompass broader public health initiatives in rural communities. It became evident that their work aligned closely with the Public Health Ins...
Health Foundation for Western & Central New York Launches Initiative to Promote Rural Health Equity
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York made a groundbreaking announcement today, unveiling a new initiative aimed at advancing rural health equity in multiple counties across the state. This significant undertaking will focus on strengthening regional rural health networks, raising awareness of healthcare needs in rural central and western New York, and advocating for systemic changes to address funding cuts and reduce health disparities in rural counties. With a commitment to improving the health and well-being of individuals residing in underserved rural communities, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York has allocated a generous sum of $450,000 in grants for this initiative. These grants will empower local organizations and support their efforts to co...
Upstate Institute News and Announcements
NYSARH had the pleasure of hosting an Upstate Institute Fellow during the summer of 2022. This program’s news and announcements page may serve as a helpful resource for NYSARH members as many of the projects are centered in rural communities. Upstate Institute News and Announcements >
NYSARH Member Spotlight: S2AY Rural Health Network Changes its Name to Pivital Public Health Partnership
New name reflects commitment to improving the health and well-being of Finger Lakes residents. S2AY Rural Health Network, a nonprofit leader in rural public health, has changed its name to Pivital Public Health Partnership. The organization’s Executive Director and Board of Directors joined with Public Health Directors from eight Finger Lakes counties to announce the name to its internal partners and stakeholders on April 20, 2022. Only Pivital Public Health Partnership unites local health departments in the Finger Lakes region to collaboratively develop and promote public health best practices. Their unique partnerships helps to accelerate improvements across the region by leveraging resources, expertise, and energy to achieve better outcomes than any one organization can achieve on thei...
Apply to a New York State Fellowship Program
New York State has several fellowship programs that provide opportunities in State government to eager and talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Empire State Fellows: The Empire State Fellows Program is a full-time leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policymakers. The incoming class of Empire State Fellows will serve from September 2022 to September 2024, and receive an annual salary of $76,500, plus a generous benefits package. Applications are being accepted through April 4. Apply and learn more here. Excelsior Fellows: The Excelsior Service Fellowship Program is an initiative to bring highly talented recent graduates of law, graduate and professional schools into government service. Prospective fe...
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
The NYS Cancer Consortium’s Colorectal Cancer Action Team acknowledges March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Each year in New York State, approximately 9,000 people develop colorectal cancer, and 3,000 New Yorkers die from it. One out of every 24 adults will develop colorectal cancer sometime in their life. Colorectal cancer occurs most often as people age (60% of new cases occur among those age 65 and older), however nearly 94% of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed after age 45. Average Risk Colorectal Cancer Screening Starts at Age 45: Regular screening for colorectal cancer can save lives. For adults at average risk for colorectal cancer, the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society now recommend that screening for colorectal cancer begin a...