At Common Ground, we recognize that physical and mental well-being are dependent on a culture of health, not just what happens in the doctor’s office. That’s why we partner with barbershops, hair salons and houses of worship to promote health where people live, play and pray. These social gathering spaces are where long-term, trusting relationships are nurtured and where health promotion can be particularly influential, especially in communities of color where health inequities are most pronounced.
Our Approach
This community-based approach grew out of a decade-long campaign to improve hypertension control in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. After achieving a 45% reduction in the rate of adults with dangerously high hypertension, we sought to use the same approach to address other health inequities. Today, that work continues through trusted partnerships that bring prevention education, health literacy, screenings, and resource navigation directly into neighborhoods and community spaces.
We work with community partners to reach people in places where relationships and trust already exist. These include barbershops, beauty salons, churches, senior centers, and community events. We focus on spaces where long-term, trusting relationships are nurtured and where health promotion can be particularly influential, especially in communities of color where health inequities are most pronounced.
- Prevention education
- Health literacy
- Chronic disease awareness
- Blood pressure screenings
- Cancer prevention
- Mental wellness
- Research engagement
- Connections to health and social service resources
By equipping and supporting trusted messengers, we help ensure that community members receive timely, culturally responsive, and easy-to-understand health information.
Community Ambassadors
Our Community Ambassadors are trusted partners with “boots on the ground” who help bring health information and resources directly into neighborhoods. Ambassadors support outreach through door-to-door canvassing, tabling at health fairs and other community events, and gatherings. They distribute important health information, connect residents with services and support prevention education across a range of health topics. They have been trained on peripheral artery disease through a partnership with URMC’s Department of Surgery’s Division of Vascular Surgery, and cancer prevention through a partnership with the Wilmot Cancer Institute. Their work plays an important role in strengthening community trust, expanding access to information, and helping residents take steps toward better health.
Senior Adult Community Engagement (SACE) Project
SACE members have contributed to efforts related to COVID-19 education, senior mental health, health literacy, food access, social isolation and safe, adaptable and affordable housing. Their leadership helps ensure that the perspectives and lived experiences of older adults are valued and included in community health work.
SACE Community Research Ambassadors grew out of the University of Rochester ENGOAL program and support research engagement efforts in partnership with the University’s Medical Center. They help community members, including older adults, better understand different types of research and share feedback about barriers to participation. These ambassadors also provide information about available research opportunities and help interested individuals sign up to receive future study information.
Get It Done Initiative
Through the Get It Done Initiative, barbershop and beauty salon owners and stylists are trained as Community Health Educators and Peer Leaders. These trusted community members provide prevention education and health literacy support to clients in familiar neighborhood settings.
Community Health Educators
Community Health Educators (CHEs) are trained to provide blood pressure screenings and share information on topics such as HIV/STIs, Hepatitis C, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and Narcan. By meeting people in spaces where they already feel comfortable, Community Health Educators help connect residents to important health information, screenings and resources.
Peer Leaders
Peer Leaders are vetted by Community Health Educators and trained to represent Common Ground Health to their patrons. Although not required, Peer Leaders are welcome to attend monthly meetings and ongoing training throughout the year. They are supplied with condoms and a variety of health and other literature to keep on-hand and distribute to their patrons.
Faith & Healthy Lifestyle Initiative
The Faith & Healthy Lifestyle Initiative partners with churches throughout Monroe County to promote prevention education, mental wellness and healthy lifestyles. Each participating church has wellness coordinators who share health information with congregants and extend outreach into the broader community with support from Common Ground Health. This work builds on Common Ground Health’s long-standing partnership with faith communities and recognizes the important role churches play in supporting physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
A Call to Women of Color
A Call to Women of Color is an annual community engagement event that brings women together for connection, education, inspiration, and wellness. Now in its 20th year, the event is part of our broader commitment to creating spaces where women of color can access health information, build community and engage in conversations that support well-being. The event reflects the power of trusted relationships, shared experience, and community voice in advancing health equity.
Wisdom Keepers, Wisdom Seekers
Wisdom Keepers, Wisdom Seekers is an intergenerational initiative that creates opportunities for older and younger community members to share knowledge, experience and cultural wisdom. The program supports mentorship, learning, community connection and healthy aging. By bringing generations together, Wisdom Keepers, Wisdom Seekers helps strengthen relationships and preserve the wisdom, stories and leadership that exist within the community.
Learn more
Common Ground Health’s community health and engagement programs are rooted in partnership, trust and the belief that communities hold the knowledge and leadership needed to improve health.
To learn more about our community health and engagement work, contact hello@commongroundhealth.org