July 2020

Users log 1 million screenings in region's COVID-19 symptom tracker

The region's ROC COVID symptom tracker hit a major milestone this week: 1 million screenings. To date more than 23,800 residents have signed up for the daily screening tool, which aims to detect COVID-19 hotspots before the virus spreads. Thanks to such robust participation, ROC COVID is now able to share trend data on the prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms.

The news, at least for now, is encouraging. For the past month, symptom reports have remained at 1%, down from 2% in early May when the project launched.

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Rochester nears final bid for All-America City Award

The pressure is on. In two weeks Rochester and 19 other finalists will compete to be one of 10 cities recognized as an All-America City. In a first-ever virtual competition, Rochester will showcase its work addressing high blood pressure, improving school climate and revitalizing neighborhoods.

“As a community we can all be proud of the path that our region has taken to improving health,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health. “Advancing in this national competition is a recognition of how we’ve knocked down the walls that separated the doctor’s office from the community.”

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Collaboration and communication help control blood pressure

Most of the patients at Finger Lakes Medical Associates in Geneva come from low-income neighborhoods, putting them at higher risk for out-of-control blood pressure.

Despite this challenge, the Rochester Regional Health practice has achieved a blood pressure control rate of 85%—unusually good by any measure. What’s their recipe for success? Experience, collaboration, and a culture that puts patients first.

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Partner spotlight:
Monroe County Community Health Improvement workgroup

The Monroe County Health Department and the Center for Community Health & Prevention at the University of Rochester Medical Center received national recognition for their work convening the Monroe County Community Health Improvement Workgroup (CHIW).

The Journal for Electronic Health Data and Methods highlighted the CHIW as an exemplary workgroup for its use of data and the cooperation of its participating health care systems, including both Rochester Regional Health and UR Medicine.

“Collaboration is our local secret to successful health improvement, and we are honored to see other communities learning from our region,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health.

Summer Meals program innovates to reach more kids during pandemic

As the COVID-19 public health crisis limits food access and keeps children away from summer programs, the Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester is offering grab-and-go meal options and allowing parents to pick up meals. Further, the partnership is introducing more “mobile meals” options in neighborhoods via Regional Transit Service (RTS), Foodlink and the City of Rochester.

“We hope that bringing food to neighborhoods throughout the summer will mean fewer children missing meals,” said Maya Crane, program officer for equity, Rochester Area Community Foundation & co-chair, Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester.

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Common Ground board affirms commitment to anti-racism, health equity

At a special July board meeting, the Common Ground board of directors unanimously affirmed Common Ground’s commitment to anti-racism and endorsed the Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group’s declaration that racism is a public health crisis.

The board of directors’ resolution echoed a statement by staff and members of the African American and Latino health coalitions and the Healthi Kids Coalition that racism is a public health crisis. The board committed the nonprofit to continuing to ensure its initiatives and mission are focused on health equity.

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