Medical center announces groundbreaking collaboration to broaden health care availability in remote rural areas
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has announced a pioneering telehealth initiative aimed at enhancing healthcare access in rural communities across Upstate New York. This innovative project, supported by multiple partners, will see the installation of telehealth stations at local bank branches, leveraging these trusted community hubs to bridge the geographic gap between patients and healthcare providers.
The telehealth stations, equipped with Higi Telehealth-Enabled Smart Health Stations, will be located in private, enclosed spaces within Five Star Bank branches in Bath, Ovid, and Wayland. These state-of-the-art health stations will allow users to connect virtually with UR Medicine providers, facilitated by DexCare's virtual on-demand platform.
The initiative is a response to the significant health disparities experienced by Americans living in rural regions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rural residents face higher rates of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease compared to urban areas. Analysis by Common Ground Health suggests that lower socioeconomic status is the leading driver of health inequities in the Finger Lakes Region, resulting in nearly 20,000 years of potential life lost annually.
Jeff Bennett, Modivcare's Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, expressed that this initiative is core to their mission to deliver a more accessible, seamless experience for consumers and providers. Five Star Bank President and CEO Martin K. Birmingham expressed pride in partnering with innovative organizations to address the challenges faced by rural communities and improve their long-term health. Derek Streat, CEO of DexCare, stated that bringing local banks and health care providers together is essential to creating healthier communities.
The partners in this initiative include Five Star Bank, Higi, DexCare, Inc., and Verizon Business. Verizon's fixed wireless access (FWA) will provide the internet connection for the health stations, while the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, the New York State Health Foundation, and the American Heart Association have provided funding for the pilot. Gary Lynch, Global Practice Lead & CTO for Healthcare, Insurance, and Life Sciences at Verizon Business, stated that the partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and bring equitable care to underserved communities.
The telehealth stations will allow patients to receive care and check key health indicators, promoting preventive care. The initiative aims to improve long-term health care outcomes for the 15 percent of the U.S. population living in rural areas, many of whom live in poverty. This groundbreaking initiative marks the first time a health system and a financial institution have partnered to provide telemedicine-equipped health stations to rural communities, demonstrating a commitment to improving the health of rural communities and addressing the link between financial and physical well-being.
Science can play a crucial role in addressing health disparities in rural communities, as demonstrated by the telehealth initiative that installs Higi Telehealth-Enabled Smart Health Stations at Five Star Bank branches. This health-and-wellness project aims to promote preventive care and improve long-term health outcomes for rural residents through remote access to UR Medicine providers.
