|
We achieve this most
successfully by empowering community residents to take an active role
in grooming local youth to be future providers and recruiting healthcare
providers who are genuinely interested in serving locally and becoming
long-term citizens of that community. In addition, Mid-MO AHEC encourages
and assists communities in building local relationships and support to
retain the providers. Research has shown that the stability of healthcare
providers within a small community can drastically impact the health of
that population and the economic growth of that area. Many local "players"
must partner together to make this community betterment happen successfully.
As of January 2004,
all but five Missouri counties have been designated by Missouri Department
of Health and Senior Services as health professional shortage areas (HPSA)
based on either geographic or income levels. At least 70% of the population
within the 23 counties in the mid-Missouri region live in rural locations.
This means that a majority of central Missourians do not have adequate
access to healthcare providers locally. In the same way, many communities
may have providers, but they don't meet the needs of the local area.
|
