Greater Lowell Pride 2018

More than 50 representatives of statewide CHNAs (Community Health Network Areas), members of hospital community benefits committees, and a variety of agency staff from across the Commonwealth, gathered for the Fourth Inter-CHNA Gathering at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, MA, on June 30, 2015.

The event provided the opportunity to honor Cathy O’Connor on her last day before retiring from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where she had guided the development of CHNAs over the past 23 years. Keynote Speaker Zach Dyer, Chief of Community Health for the Worcester Division of Public Health, described the cross-sector work that he has been doing to bring together over 100 organizations to create a County Health Improvement Plan.

He was followed by a panel discussing their cross-sector work, including Barry Keppard of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Colleen Leger of the Arlington Youth Counseling Center, Marcia Picard of Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community, and David Aronstein of the Boston Alliance for Community Health.

We invite you to view photos and a two-hour video of the event.

For further information about the statewide Inter-CHNA organization, contact David Aronstein at 617-279-2240 ,or Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900, Ext. 103.

The Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA) of the Community Health Network Area 10 has been awarded a $100,000 grant for phase I of the Cancer Disparities Capacity Building Pilot Project. The funds were awarded through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and will be used to conduct an assessment of the health status of area residents, and describe cancer disparities and health inequities of interest and importance to the community. The GLHA will be collaborating with University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Community Research and Engagement, Lowell General Hospital, Lowell Community Health Center and many other community organizations on this worthwhile project.

In Phase II, the GLHA will develop an action plan that will:

• Focus on prevention, screening, treatment and/or survivorship strategies for 1-2 of the top 5 cancers in Massachusetts (lung, breast, prostate, colorectal and cervical).
• Address health outcomes/health risks identified through our community needs assessments targeting the greatest needs.
• Select strategies that make the best use of available resources while capitalizing on community strengths and opportunities identified in the community needs assessment and building local capacity and sustainability.

The Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA) of the Community Health Network Area 10 has awarded nine grants totaling $200,000 to community-based organizations to address critical health issues in the Greater Lowell area.

Grants were awarded around the priority areas of mental health, substance abuse, diabetes, obesity, respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cardiovascular disease, and Hepatitis B in the Cambodian community. Preference was given to projects that serve low-income, vulnerable, and/or at-risk communities.

These funds are part of $5 million being allocated to GLHA by Lowell General Hospital over the next 14 years through the hospital’s Determination of Need process for its recent campus expansion. This process through the Department of Public Health ensures that hospitals are providing a measurable community
benefit to the communities they serve.

“As an organization solely dedicated to improving the quality of health in the communities we serve, we are very pleased to put these funds into the hands of the outstanding front-line organizations that make a difference in the overall health in our communities,” said Kerrie D’Entremont, GLHA Executive Director.

GLHA – comprised of healthcare providers, business leaders, educators, civic and community leaders – plays a critical role in helping individuals and organizations collaboratively improve the health of Greater Lowell region. By raising awareness and providing resources for community organizations, the Alliance empowers them to make decisions and take actions that will lead to an improvement in the region’s health.