Primary Submission Category: Health equity
Strengthening Healthcare Access in Pennsylvania: The Launch of the Rural Health Coalition
Authors: Madeline Bernard, Fornessa Randal, Paula Lozano, Eugene Lengerich, Susan Perrine, Chieko Maene, Jeremy Chia, Sandy Rosario,
Presenting Author: Madeline Bernard*
25% of Pennsylvanians live in rural designated areas, while 22% live in health professional shortage areas. The Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities (CAHE-RUC), a part of Penn State College of Medicine, launched the Rural Health Coalition (RHC) as a partnership between academia, health systems, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and rural health clinics to address challenges in rural healthcare delivery and improve access for these .
In formation of the RHC, CAHE-RUC considered rurality in proximity to urban-populated areas with PSU Health facilities. Working outwards from PSU locations in south-central PA, the team identified counties with high rates of key health indicators that are exacerbated by lack of medical services, including chronic disease care and cancer screening. Out of surrounding counties, 6 of them do not have an FQHC or rural health clinic located there, while being considered a fully designated rural area, highlighting the need for a collaborative network.
The 17-county catchment area is home to 3.1 million people, whose rural population experiences above average rates of chronic illness, including heart disease, and cancer. The coalition was formed between PSU and 5 FQHCs/Rural Health Clinics working across south-central PA. Each organization represents communities of minority, rural, and medically underserved populations with unique challenges, including primary and specialty provider shortages and structural barriers to care, for the collaborative network to address.
The RHC was formed by identifying rural counties surrounding urban areas with PSU-COM locations, medically underserved areas, and populations experiencing disease that can be prevented or managed by accessible care. The RHC will address the structural, community, and health equity needs for healthcare access and delivery within the catchment area, through a multi-level integrative and collaborative model.