Health Connect
What is HealthConnect?
HealthConnect provides a comprehensive, interactive process designed to improve local health care access, and help communities understand the importance of local health care. While it can be customized to any community, county, or region, the process typically begins with an economic impact analysis of the local health care industry in a community. The analysis offers an understanding of just how vital the local health industry is to the local economy.
A health care survey of area residents is used to gain insight into residents' perception of the quality of health care available to them right in the very communities they call home.
In addition, a health resource directory is developed to promote the health services available in the local area. This overview of services is gathered through a health care provider survey distributed to all entities associated with local health care.
The summary of findings from the survey and study results is unveiled to the local residents through a community forum. These forums are public meetings where local residents have an opportunity to voice priority recommendations as input for the strategic planning process.
The local HealthConnect planning team then participates in a strategic planning retreat to develop a vision-to-vision plan to address health concerns for their community. Further studies may originate from the strategic plan that address the feasibility of providing nonexistent services or increase services that are currently limited within the local community.
Participation in the HealthConnect process encourages a sustainable plan for the future of a community's vital health care system.
Why was HealthConnect developed?
The strain on a health care infrastructure is felt locally as health services are slowly leaving the State of Mississippi. It is critical to address these infrastructure needs in a timely and industrious manner.
The HealthConnect program resulted from an effort between Mississippi State University Extension Service and a network of four East Central Mississippi counties to improve access to community-based health care.
Mississippi has high rates of death, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infant mortality, and obesity. In addition, many Mississippi counties fall well below the nation's poverty rate.
What are the components of HealthConnect?
- Economic Impact Analysis
- Health Care Directory
- Community Health Survey
- Health Care Providers Survey
- Community Forum
- Strategic Planning Retreat
- Balanced Scorecard
- Leadership Development Training
- Health Care Vision-to-Action Plan
- Feasibility Studies
Is it for my community?
In rural America, doctors are leaving and hospitals are closing. HealthConnect can plan a critical role by empowering local citizens to take control of their health infrastructure in these uncertain times. The health, economic, and social well-being of these communities is strongly linked to the vitality of the local health care industry.
Research shows that the health care sector often provides 10 to 15 percent of the jobs in many rural counties. Furthermore, if the secondary benefits of those jobs are included, the health care sector can account for 15 to 20 percent of all jobs. In fact, hospitals are often second only to school systems as the largest employer in rural counties.
Studies also indicate that business and industry prospects look at the quality of the local school and health care systems before deciding to locate in a particular area. Retirees tend to look at a community's safety and the quality and availability of health services before relocating.
HealthConnect gives communities the tools they need to formulate a plan to address critical health care issues necessary to improve the quality of life for their residents. The plan can include such tools as community grants which in turn fosters economic development.
How does a community get started?
HealthConnect is a community interactive process designed to bring awareness and highlight the importance that health care has on communities. Local representatives from all sectors are encouraged to join the steering committee that brings this program to any community. Local health care officials, media representatives, civic leaders, community college personnel, health department officials, and faith-based representatives are just some of the many representatives often invited to participate in this effort. It is essential for any community to be inclusive in its attempt to address local health care concerns.
Publications
News
DREW, Miss. -- The small Delta town of Drew in the heart of Sunflower County has created a private, public and academic partnership to fight food insecurity.
For its efforts, the town recently received a big new honor, along with funding to advance ongoing health equity improvements. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) last month awarded Drew and nine other communities the 2020–2021 Culture of Health Prize, along with $25,000.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A team led by a Mississippi State University unit has been recognized on the national level for its contributions to race relations.
The Coming Together for Racial Understanding (CTRU) project received the 2021 National Diversity in Extension Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
While National Rural Health Day is celebrated Nov. 18, the Mississippi State University Extension Service works daily to build and maintain this personal and community-level commodity.
From computer programs that regulate moisture sensors to smartphone apps that allow growers to monitor market data, most facets of agriculture continue their shift to digital platforms. This transition makes reliable internet access no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Despite Mississippi agriculture’s annual economic impact of around $7 billion, broadband infrastructure is in short supply in the state’s densest agricultural hub: the 19-county Mississippi Delta.
John J. Green is bringing a career immersed in Southern sociology and community development to his new position as director of the Southern Rural Development Center headquartered at Mississippi State University.
Success Stories
Corey Proctor describes New Augusta as a small town with a big heart.
He would know as well as anyone. He has called the seat of Perry County home for most of his adult life and was elected to serve on its board of aldermen in 2021.
When teachers and administrators at Leland School Park began taking steps to install a school garden in 2019, they had no idea they would get a first-of-its-kind outdoor classroom.
Vaunita Martin cares so much about the rural county where she attended Itawamba Community College that she’s made a career out of making it an even better place.
Even before the first crop in the Belzoni Community Garden was planted in 2019, Clifton Williams and Chandra Hines had devoted countless hours toward keeping the town both beautiful and fed as part of Keep Belzoni Beautiful.
Extension/Research Professor Named Co-Investigator on $1 Million Grant
The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program recently announced a $1 million research and education grant.
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