Erie County Department of Health presentation

1. “ A NEW FOCUS, A NEW DIRECTION”
ERIE COUNTY HEALTH DISPARITIES SUMMIT
MAY 10, 2008

3. The PartnerSHIP for a Healthy Community is the local
affiliate “State Health Improvement Plan” partner for
the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The mission of the “SHIP “is to develop a cooperative
community‐based planning system to improve the
health of the local community.
We engage key “decision makers” from health care,
government, business, as well as civic leaders, clergy
and those from the grass roots level, for purposes of
planning community initiatives.

4. To reduce and eliminate health care disparities.
To increase access to care.
To improve the health status for everyone.

5. All minority and underserved diverse populations in
Erie County including those differentiated by race,
ethnicity, education, income, disability, gender, age,
sexual orientation, and geographic location.
We will focus on the most medically problematic
disease areas as defined by Healthy People 2010, the
National Health Care Disparities Report 2007, the
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S. Health Care
Report 2008, and the Health Status Report, Erie
County Department of Health.

6. Geographic areas of highest poverty (20% or
greater) in Erie County.
Federally designated Health Professional and
Dental Shortage Areas – Medically Underserved
Areas, which includes inner city and rural areas.

7. In neighborhoods where the highest concentration
of minorities are located, highest underserved
populations, as well as the populations who are
most medically in need of these services.

8. Our Methodology
Recently the board of directors for the “SHIP”
adopted twenty‐six key projects to complete over
the next five years, as part of our strategic planning
process.
Selected key projects will be implemented at our
June 19, 2008 Annual Erie “Stakeholder’s Meeting”
for key decision makers.

9. Methodology
Two task force groups were developed to
execute these projects for the “SHIP”.
Access to Care Task Force and,
Disparity ‐Health Education and Health
Literacy Task Force

10. MEDICAL HOME ‐ GENERAL
“ A second important barrier (after insurance) to access
medical care is the lack of a usual source of care.
Without access to a regular source of care, patients have
more difficulties obtaining care, make fewer doctor
visits, and have more difficulty accessing prescription
drugs”…Health Policy Institute of Ohio, November 2004.

11. MEDICAL HOME : SPECIALIZED “TransforMED”
A specialized demonstration program currently
in Pennsylvania and New Jersey provides for
patient centered services – coordinated and/or
integrated across all domains of the health care
system, with open scheduling and expanded
hours.

12. DOCTOR SHORTAGES:
“Needed visits for specialist like dermatologists,
urologists, medical oncologists and endocrinologists
for non‐emergencies, can have wait times of
months”… A Publication of the Times News
Publishing Company – March 16, 2008 Page 8S.

13. CLINICIAL STANDARD ‐ EVIDENCED BASED BEST
PRACTICE:
Hospital and Faith Based Partnerships are a “win‐
win” situation. Brightside Baptist Church in
Lancaster Pennsylvania has partnered with
Southeast Lancaster Health Services, to provide on‐
site medical services. Programming extends to
physicals for refugees from fifty countries.

14. Health Education : We need “state of the art”,
culturally sensitive health education and health
literacy materials packaged and delivered with a
“strategic dissemination plan”. We need to create:
Health Education Centers
Healthy Family Centers
Healthy Community Outreach Centers

15. Access Point Case Management System
‐ One entrance point for information for all social
service programs in Erie County .
‐ Case Managers will be a team of specialists who will
culturally and linguistically reflect their consumer base.
‐ Service available 24/7 and be “up to date” with service
information.
‐ Caseworkers to remain involved until family is
connected to needed services.

16. Chronic Disease Management Groups
Would offer health screenings, health education, as well as
concentrated information to teens regarding pregnancies, sexually
transmitted diseases, and tobacco use.
“Black men and women are most likely to have heart
failure, high blood pressure, and stroke; black women
are also more likely than other women to have coronary
heart disease”….Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S.
Health Care – A Chartbook ‐ March 2008

17. The “SHIP” is going on a difficult voyage over
uncharted waters. We are ready to steer the “SHIP” in
the right direction – but it will take many, many,
people to work together to ensure we arrive at our
destination – which is competent, affordable health
care for everyone, which promotes ‐ equality.
Partnership@nwpaahec.org or 814‐453‐6551
Thanks and God Bless!