Health System’s Community Outreach Improves Wellness and Generates Publicity

In southeast Massachusetts, residents can shop for fresh fruit and produce at community farmers markets sponsored by Southcoast Health. This is part of Southcoast Health’s commitment not only to take care of its patients but also to protect the health of a high-risk community. And in the process of “doing good” for others, the health system gains some valuable publicity, too.

Southcoast Health is a community-based health system that provides comprehensive clinical services through its three affiliated hospitals, which serve a high percentage of low-income people. In fact, the health system’s latest data reveal more than 30 percent of the target population lives in poverty. For this reason, residents are especially susceptible to an array of health issues, says Kerry Mello, Southcoast Health’s Community Benefits Manager.

Therefore, instead of waiting for people to become ill or for their chronic health conditions to spiral out of control, Mello says Southcoast Health takes a proactive approach to marketing wellness strategies. The wellness marketing is done through a number of targeted activities that lead back to the community, since “more than 90 percent of health care takes place out of the hospital setting,” Mello says. This makes it essential for Southcoast Health to expand its reach into in the areas where people live and work, she adds.

To get a clear picture of the risks that exist in its target area, Southcoast Health also conducts an annual needs assessment survey. The findings help guide the organization in developing its community benefits strategic action plan, which generally consists of the following three main goals:

1. To reduce the high rates of cardiovascular disease in the region, and to address other chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma.
2. To improve access to care.
3. To reduce risky behaviors in youth, like violence, pregnancy, and substance abuse.

To learn how the program is making real inroads into improving the health of its target population, as well as increasing visibility for Southcoast Health, read the full article now:

Food for Thought: Regional Health System Cooks Up Outreach and Education Efforts for High-Risk Residents

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