Jefferson County Leaders Striving to Create Healthier Communities

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently released the 2010 County Health Ranking Project, a collaborated effort of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.  The ranking methodology was developed to measure the “health” of counties by studying mortality and morbidity data, and surveying data in four health categories: health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic, and physical environment. 

Although Jefferson County ranked very high in terms of the physical environmental factors, it ranked very low in all the other three health categories.  According to Eric Buckland, CEO of Mountain View Hospital, “Although Jefferson County faces profound health challenges there are many improvement efforts currently in progress through community partnerships, emerging programs, and policies.”   

Organizations such as Mountain View Hospital (MVH), local city governments and law enforcement agencies, 509 J School District, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Indian Health Services, Jefferson County Public Health, BestCare Treatment Services, and many others, are addressing county wide health issues.  Each program in place shares an overall goal of teaching county residents how to make healthy choices.

“Community wide organizations that are engaged through partnerships and shared resources will help provide county residents access to more health improvement programs,” noted Buckland.    

The RWJF County Ranking project provides a standard way to measure how healthy a county is, which provides opportunities to help build a healthier county.  The following is a sample of the health initiatives that have been initiated in the past couple of years and how they benefit the residents of Jefferson County .

Health Behaviors

The RWJF project measures health behaviors through assessing tobacco and alcohol use, diet and exercise, and risky sexual behaviors.  Jefferson County Public Health was instrumental in advocating for smoke-free eating establishments.  Along with other Oregon businesses, Mountain View Hospital has adopted tobacco-free policies in an effort to help reduce the use of tobacco.  To decrease the use of teen alcohol and drug abuse, the Jefferson County prevention task force is working on tools that will help parents discourage under-age drinking and prescription drug abuse. 

Through the coordination of Mountain View Hospital ’s Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP), there are numerous projects addressing adult and childhood obesity issues.  Over the past two years, CHIP has been working with the 509 J School District, students and their parents to decrease the rate of childhood obesity through research and education.  Teaching adults to maintain a healthy weight is also an initiative led by CHIP through programs such as “Am I Hungry?” and “Moving Mountains.”  The Madras Aquatic Center , a community established pool, provides opportunities to be active through recreational swim, wellness, competitive and school based programs.  Community organized events such as the annual MAC Dash, a triathlon event in Madras , promote physical health through exercise.  Mountain View Hospital is the events’ title sponsor and is also supported by other surrounding communities and businesses.  Last year, the proceeds for the event went to the Madras High School Swim Team. 

Socio-Economic

Addressing health behaviors alone is not enough.  In an economically stressed community, finding ways to improve socio-economic factors such as education, employment, family and social support, and community safety is just as important.  To further benefit students and other community members, local schools are offering additional educational and physical activities after school.  For those who are seeking to further their education, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and Oregon State University courses are taught in Jefferson County.  In 2011, COCC expects to build a new college campus in Madras , which will allow for easier access to higher education and additional jobs.  Mountain View Hospital just recently implemented a new volunteer program, “Give,” allowing community members to gain new skills and at the same time give back to their community.

Clinical Care

The RWJF project also measures clinical care factors that include accessible quality healthcare.  Local healthcare organizations have taken the lead on many important projects to address these issues.  Mountain View Hospital, Madras Medical Group, and Mountain View Medical & Surgical Associates offer primary and specialty services and continue to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients.  In 2006, Mosaic Medical was established in Jefferson County to provide additional access to primary care.  Jefferson County Public Health continues to provide access to and promote immunizations and family planning services.

Most recently, Mountain View Hospital renovated their Emergency Department and the outpatient registration area to address the increase in the number of visits and improve patient satisfaction by providing a patient friendly experience.  The hospital is also in the process of completing a facility assessment to determine the need for facility improvements and/or an expansion, which will improve the availability of quality care and enhance outpatient services.  Mountain View Hospital continues to offer financial assistance programs to those who have little or no insurance.  In addition to other programs available to help cover the costs of medical and dental care, the Oregon Healthy Kids program also helps families by providing children free or low-cost health coverage.  Among the many health and wellness related classes offered by Mountain View Hospital, “Living Well with Chronic Conditions” is a new program held at the hospital and provides tools for living a healthy life with chronic health conditions including diabetes, arthritis, asthma and heart disease.  In both the Madras and Warm Springs communities, diabetic prevention and education services are also available.

 In 2009, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems recognized Mountain View Hospital for outstanding clinical quality and patient safety.  The hospital continues to remain a Mentor Hospital, a designation bestowed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.  Mountain View Hospital is also an Oregon Rural Healthcare Quality Network pilot hospital for implementing “Team Strategies and Tools” (TeamSTEPPS) to enhance clinical performance and patient safety.  Through the TeamSTEPPS program and by collaborating with other hospitals and cardiologists, Mountain View Hospital has established a consistent approach to treating patients with heart attacks.  Mountain View Hospital caregivers and physicians anticipate teaching other hospitals the same TeamSTEPPS tools and techniques.

Environment

The final health factor evaluated by the RWJF project measures the environment’s air quality and access to healthy foods and liquor stores in each county.  The survey results showed that Jefferson County ranked second for having the healthiest physical environment out of 33 counties.  In addition to excellent air quality, access to full-service grocery stores and only one local liquor store, county residents also have access to Farmer’s Markets, and Opal Springs as their municipal water supplier.  The Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) has also established a large community garden in Madras and made significant improvements to the community garden in Warm Springs.  Both gardens offer fresh foods to community members and other local food programs.  In addition, Jefferson County has enhanced our physical environment by increasing and beautifying a number of trails and parks.  

 

“The county wide initiatives that are underway, including the many programs not mentioned, suggest that by addressing healthy and unhealthy behaviors, Jefferson County can become the healthiest county in Oregon some day.  By changing our lifestyles, Jefferson county residents will experience less premature deaths and low birth weights, and improved physical and mental health,” concluded Buckland.