December 2023 Common Ground Newsletter

December 2023 Newsletter

New Indigenous Health Coalition aims to address health inequities

After three years of relationship building with the Native community, an Indigenous Health Coalition launched in November 2023 with the support of Common Ground Health. Made up of Indigenous community members and advocates, the group is working to address Indigenous health equity for the region and across upstate New York.  

"An Indigenous Health Coalition is something that has never been done before [in this area], bringing together all our tribal nations and urban populations to engage in meaningful discussion to advance health and wellness for our indigenous populations,” said Dean Seneca, a founding member and owner of Seneca Scientific Solutions+. “Common Ground should be very proud for leading this initiative. The Coalition is the first step to addressing the health disparities and inequities Indigenous populations experience."

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Innovation in action: Common Ground Health examines My Health Story 2022 Survey responses internally

For the first time, Common Ground Health is analyzing qualitative responses to its public health survey in-house—allowing for a deeper, more precise look at what people described as their biggest health concern over the past 12 months. 

Responses in the My Health Story 2022 Survey came from people in a 12-county region, with 2,374 of them answering the biggest health concern question. Their answers range from a couple words to paragraphs of descriptive anecdotes. 

“It’s a very careful and slow process because we’re working with a massive amount of data, and we want to uphold the authenticity of what people wrote instead of potentially inferring something that’s not there,” says Sarah Farash, senior research associate at the organization. “This work is usually done in an academic setting. The way we’re doing it is really powerful.” 

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From left: Anika Griffiths (Program Assistant), Sarah Farash, LMSW, PhD (Sr. Research Associate),
Jenn Beideman, MPA (Director, Whole Child Health Advocacy)

Common Ground Health staff take part in national public health conference

Three Common Ground Health employees—Program Assistant Anika Griffiths, Senior Research Associate Sarah Farash, and Whole Child Health Advocacy Director Jenn Beideman—participated in the American Public Health Association’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Expo in Atlanta from Nov. 12-15.

Farash presented on online public health surveillance survey challenges, Griffiths showcased the impact of Black nurses on community health in Rochester, and Beideman discussed the Healthi Kids Coalition's advocacy agenda on racial equity.

Also in attendance were Director of Research Holly Sienkiewicz and Healthy Communities Project Coordinator Mike Bulger.

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Partner Spotlight: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline adds American Sign Language access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is now offering nationwide American Sign Language (ASL) services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. This expansion aims to enhance accessibility to behavioral health care for underserved communities.

Since its July 2022 launch, the 988 Lifeline has received over 5.5 million calls, texts, and chats, supported by a nearly $1 billion investment by the Biden-Harris Administration. 

“Individuals across America who use ASL as their primary language can now readily access the support they need during a mental health crisis,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

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In the headlines

13 WHAM Second Native Made Market brings together creators to highlight indigenous cultures (November 25)

Spectrum News 1 Indigenous creatives use Small Business Saturday to highlight their culture (November 25)

Rochester Business Journal Jordan Health strives to defeat health care inequities under Linda Clark’s new leadership (November 13)

585 Magazine Native made: Angelina Hilton elevates and celebrates indigenous artists (October 31)

Rochester Business Journal Causewave Community Partners honors Rochester area wavemakers (October 27)

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Excellus BCBS announces 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award recipients (October 25)

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