According to the CDC, 15% of all Americans live in rural areas and are at greater risk of death from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. The most recent U.S. Census shows 37% of Iowans live in rural areas. Accordingly, more than half of Iowa’s community health center sites are in rural areas.
Over the last 18 months, community health centers in Iowa have been collaborating with the Iowa Primary Care Association on the Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Disparities (AHEAD) initiative. This funding from MolinaCares is helping to advance the initiative through a strategic implementation plan which includes care planning for patients with social drivers of health (SDOH) needs like food insecurity, lack of transportation and housing insecurity.
It will also support our work to directly address identified inequities for patients and fund inclusive workforce strategies, staff training around health disparities, enhancing patient engagement, and developing patient, family, and stakeholder advisory councils to reflect the needs of local communities.
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