January 2020 Common Ground Newsletter

January 2020

Thank you for partnering with us in 2019

At the heart of health improvement sits a cadre of dedicated partners working toward better outcomes. Because measurement is vital to what we do, we have collected some of the many ways that our region worked with us in 2019 to promote health. Through thoughtful conversation about health barriers, self-reflection to improve patient experience and careful examination of trends, our partners are helping our region achieve better health. View a photo gallery of partnerships from 2019. 

What we're reading

The new Unmarried and Single Parents in Poverty report from the City of Rochester, Mayor’s Office of Innovation, and the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative looks at the realities and potential strategies for this key subgroup in Rochester. Among its findings, the report shows that unmarried parents are more likely to be disabled or face other barriers to employment and are more likely to lack a high school education. Women of color also are over-represented among the heads of unmarried households with children in poverty. The report aims to spark inquiry and reflection. Read it here.

Partner spotlight:
Rochester RHIO (Regional Health Information Organization)

As people move through the health care system, their clinical records should go with them. That’s why we applaud the work of the Rochester RHIO (Regional Health Information Organization) for building connections to expand data exchange beyond hospitals and doctors' offices. Service providers and correctional facilities are sharing data with the RHIO as Medicaid recipients receiving behavioral health or substance use services transition into and out of incarceration. Additionally, the RHIO is helping providers and public health officials track obesity, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.

“These advances give physicians and other providers the tools they need to better understand patients' needs and coordinate care,” said Dr. Tom Mahoney, chief medical officer for Common Ground Health. Learn more about the RHIO.

Nearly 200 members of the community turned out to a Foodlink event at the Little Theatre Dec. 18 to see the 2013 documentary "A Place at the Table" and discuss food access. Here, attendees prioritized the most pressing issues for the local food system. The event was cosponsored by Common Ground, the City of Rochester, WXXI and Little Theatre. See additional pictures.

We're hiring

Do you dream in 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.

In the headlines

Rochester Beacon Rochester's poverty rate declines slightly

Rochester City Newspaper Rochester 10: Jenn Beideman Related

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle How a landmark UCLA dementia program could ease burdens in Rochester communities of color

Minority Reporter What men need to know about breast cancer

13 WHAM-TV Medicaid cuts could have a ripple effect

The Chronicle-Express Leadership Team completes Community Health Assessment health priorities identified for Livingston County