New HPIO data snapshot highlights health challenges in rural, Appalachian Ohio

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new data snapshot highlighting health in rural and Appalachian Ohio.
 
Living in communities with access to opportunity and resources is a key contributor to Ohioans’ health, well-being and economic security. There are many positive aspects of living in rural areas of Ohio, but the more than 2.3 million Ohioans who live in rural counties face a number of challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes.
 
The snapshot illustrates differences in community conditions, access to care, poverty and chronic stress. It also highlights health outcomes, such as deaths among working-age Ohioans. As illustrated above, early deaths have increased in Ohio over the past decade, and Ohioans living in rural, Appalachian counties continue to die early at a much higher rate than other rural counties or Ohio overall.

The snapshot also includes links to resources for state and local leaders. According to the snapshot, “There are many effective strategies that state and local leaders can use to ensure that Ohioans living in rural areas have access to the resources and environments needed to promote health and well-being.”
 
HPIO's statewide Health Policy Summit will feature a breakout session with Nationwide Children's Hospital researchers highlighting lessons learned from implementation of a pediatric Medicaid innovation model aimed at improved health outcomes and cost savings in rural and Appalachian Ohio. The Summit will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3 in Columbus. To learn more, and to register, visit HPIO's website.