It Takes a Village to Improve Community Health

In Rutland County, many individuals and organizations collaborate to ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need to live healthier lives.

The proverb, “It takes a village…” has long been used to emphasize the collective effort required to raise a child. However, this saying also applies to the work needed to improve the health and well-being of an entire community. In Rutland County, many individuals and organizations collaborate to ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need to live healthier lives.

One key group leading this effort is the Rutland Community Collaborative (RCC). RCC is a coalition of healthcare professionals, community representatives, and local organizations working together to identify and address the most pressing health challenges in our region. Each year, RCC focuses on particular health priorities to create meaningful, lasting improvements.

This year, RCC has identified two major areas of focus: 1) Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) – These are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, such as access to transportation, affordable housing, food security, and language barriers; and 2) chronic conditions impacted by SDOH. Many long-term health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses, are affected by factors beyond an individual’s control. Addressing SDOH helps prevent and better manage these conditions. Individual choices and external factors-such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and cultural backgrounds-shape health outcomes also.

The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), along with RCC’s dedicated data analysts, helps pinpoint the most urgent health concerns in Rutland County. Rutland Regional Medical Center, as required by federal regulations, conducts the CHNA every three years. The RCC nine subgroups developed strategies to close these gaps.

The Behavioral Health Committee of the RCC is working to improve accessibility of mental health services by streamlining referral processes. This has helped reduce wait times for mental health appointments across all age groups.

The RCC’s Education and Palliative Care Hospice Groups focus on ensuring patients and healthcare providers have the knowledge they need to make informed choices, particularly when managing chronic or terminal illnesses.

Navigating the healthcare system can be complex, costly, and overwhelming. RCC’s ongoing efforts aim to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered. By bringing together healthcare providers, community organizations, and local residents, RCC is working to create a healthier future for everyone in Rutland County.

Together, we can build a healthier Rutland – because it truly takes a village.