February 2020 Common Ground Newsletter

February 2020

The U.S. Census is a massive undertaking that has far-reaching consequences for how our region delivers health care.

Communities use census data to pick locations for new medical services, create maps for emergency responders and distribute federal nutrition funding.

Check out the 10 ways the census supports health. 

Norwood tapped for Medicaid advisory group

Common Ground Health CEO Wade Norwood has been appointed to the New York State Medicaid Redesign Team II, an advisory group charged with finding $2.5 billion in Medicaid savings in 2021.

“My hope is that we will wind up seeing this effort not just as a green eyeshade conversation about money, but as an opportunity to strengthen the delivery of care, particularly for the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Norwood, who will represent the needs of residents of the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier regions. Learn more.

Students create buzz around quitting vaping

With the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping, youth smoking rates have climbed to a 20-year high. By using social media, area college students are teaming up to share the truth about how vaping harms health.

During a one-day hackathon-style event at St. John Fisher College, students at six area colleges and universities heard from a local social media star how to create hit dance videos that may move their peers to quit vaping.

Learn more about how the videos are part of a national campaign.

Partner spotlight:
Early childhood educators and caregivers

Early childhood caregivers and educators play a big role in kids’ health. Yet not everyone has access to quality early care and education or the ability to navigate the complex system of services. 

That’s why we are excited by new federal funds to better coordinate the early childhood and education systems across New York State.

“These funds include purposeful efforts aimed at parent engagement and support, and professional development opportunities including infant mental health training that better prepare and support teachers in addressing the needs of the whole child,” said Stephanie David, children’s health policy associate for Healthi Kids.

Learn more.

We're hiring

Do you love SQL? We're hiring for a health planning research assistant with top-notch data analytics skills. Learn more. 

Upcoming events

Join us to discuss health equity and the social determinants of health during the 2nd Annual Speak Life! Health Equity Conference, which is being planned by the African American and Latino Health Coalitions. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave., Rochester. Register here.

Have local hypertension rates improved 5%, 15% or 45%? Join us Friday, March 27 for a free lunchtime webinar to find out. Learn about the tremendous progress we’ve made as a region combating hypertension through the High Blood Pressure Collaborative. Hear how clinical data has helped to drive improvement and why this initiative has attracted national attention. See innovative programs in churches, barbershop and salons that are addressing higher rates of hypertension among communities of color and folks in poverty. Every medical practice that signs up will be given a $50 gift card to help cover lunch for staff during the webinar. Register online.

In the headlines

WXXI News Who uses the Erie Canal trail? Study seeks to encourage diversity

WXXI News: Connections Discussing possible changes to the state's Medicaid program   Related

13-WHAM TikTok campaign aims to tackle youth vaping  Related