March 2024 Newsletter

Older Latina woman with black hair and glasses and wearing a vibrantly patterned blouse blowing out candles on a birthday cake

Regional life expectancy declines by three years

Spikes in the number of deaths from drug overdoses, homicide, heart disease and COVID-19 led to a three-year drop in life expectancy in the Finger Lakes region from 2013 to 2021. The average life expectancy for the region peaked at 80.5 years in 2013 before falling to 77.3 years by 2021. This is according to a new data spotlight on life expectancy released by Common Ground Health.

“The color of your skin or amount of resources in your neighborhood should not determine how long you live,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health.

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Woman in scrubs with painted nails holds an iPad and is explaining a chart of muscle / fat distribution to a slightly overweight man in a tan button down shirt.

Health survey data is available to the community

Common Ground Health’s My Health Story 2022 Survey data was designed to be widely shared. Agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members often use data to evaluate and/or improve issues of health equity, and the survey data collected from a 12-county region can help them do that in creative ways.

“We’re open and available to meet with people who might want to consider using the My Health Story 2022 data for their own explorations,” Sarah Farash, senior research associate for Common Ground Health, says.

To inquire about the My Health Story 2022 Survey, or to request a copy, please email Dr. Farash at [email protected].

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HEAR Her Concerns: Pregnancy-related complications can affect anyone.

Partner Spotlight: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NYS Department of Health

Pregnancy-related complications kill 700 women nationally each year. Yet many of these deaths could be prevented if more people listened to a pregnant woman when she reports concerns. Issues related to pregnancy or delivery are the focus of a new awareness campaign available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health.

"Our moms need to be listened to, because they know their bodies best," said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health. "Kudos to the CDC and its partners for putting together and sharing a campaign that will save lives."

See the campaign »

Registration now open: Speak Life! 2024 Health Equity Conference. Environmental Impact on Health

Get tickets now for Speak Life!

Registration is now open for the 2024 Speak Life! Health Equity Conference. The conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Asbury First United Methodist Church. This year's theme is "The Environmental Impact on Health: How Racism and Discrimination Shape Our Region's Environment to Create Health Inequity."

Learn more and register today »