population health

What is population health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “Population Health” as “an opportunity for health care systems, agencies and organizations to work together in order to improve the health outcomes of the communities they serve.” Simply explained, population health is the study of health outcomes found in a group of individuals and can often be [...]

Neighborhood and Built Environment have major impact on health

Communities that endure health and safety risks like high rates of violence, or unsafe air and water have a major impact on health and quality of life. Knowing that unsafe communities produce unhealthy residents is what made neighborhood and built environment a social determinant of health. The four components of neighborhood and built environment are: [...]

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is a key component of improving health and fostering a trusting relationship with healthcare professionals. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines personal health literacy as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” Every [...]

September is dedicated to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness

Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), which can be physical, behavioral, or intellectual disabilities and last a lifetime. FASD is often a mix of disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are preventable if a developing baby is not exposed to alcohol [...]

Supporting those you supervise: Meet CHW Supervisor Samantha Graham

Tell us about yourself I grew up in Geistown most of my life. I went to a private Christian high school where I met my husband. We reconnected in college and have been together 14 years and married for 8 years. We have two kids (ages 7 and 5) and a Rottweiler mix that we [...]

September is dedicated to Suicide Prevention Month

*If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call or text 988 Although it’s important to address suicide prevention year-round, September is set aside as a dedicated month to address the very difficult topic. At the local level, the County Health Rankings (data from 2016-2020) show that Cambria County experienced 126 deaths by [...]

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month is observed annually in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for everyone, especially children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.” Extensive lab testing is done before vaccines [...]

Community Health Summit held for local groups to review area needs

In an all-day conference August 9, social service organizations, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and non-profit groups from Cambria and Somerset counties gathered at the Living-Learning Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s campus for a Community Health Summit, as part of the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process. The summit featured morning sessions [...]

Being that support system: Meet new Community Health Worker Jordan Chuhran

Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Cambria County in Carrolltown, PA; I graduated from Cambria Heights High school in 2018. While in high school I was a member of the girls’ soccer team, marching band majorette, highsteppers majorettes, SADD, and ski club. I just recently graduated from Lock Haven University of [...]

July is National Minority Mental Health Month

While mental illness can affect people of any race, ethnicity, or background, racial minorities often face unique struggles. To understand those struggles better, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month began in 2008 and has taken place every July since. This year’s theme “Beyond the Numbers” calls attention to the history of minorities and how their resilience [...]

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