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Montana's Rural Health Initiative
The Montana Rural Health Initiative (RHI) is a collaborative effort to create a dynamic network linking prevention and community-based wellness programs throughout Montana. The Rural Health Initiative engages partners to share ideas and expertise and support communities in improving health. RHI is currently managed through the Montana Office of Rural Health/Area Health Education Center.
Background: In February 2008, RHI partners convened a meeting of stakeholders including community members, academics, local government officials, health care providers, public health workers, Tribal Health Department representatives and nonprofit organizations, among others, to discuss the potential for a coordinated, collaborative approach to prevention and wellness in Montana. Community leaders and experts developed a strategy to improve health in Montana by linking community health initiatives to each other as well as to the expertise that already exists in the state. The four resource focus areas are Community Gardens/Youth Nutrition, Trails/Walking, Health Fairs, and Worksite Wellness.
Click here for the PowerPoint slides for the RHI Background Presentation
Rural Health Initiative Activities:
I. Create and maintain a highly interactive website that includes:
- Details of local prevention and community-based wellness programs
- Resources for the focus areas of Community Gardens/Youth Nutrition, Trails/ Walking, Health Fairs, and Worksite Wellness.
- Calendar of events
- Links to state and national prevention and wellness resources
http://www.montanaruralhealthinitiative.info/
II. Encourage networking and collaboration by communicating with RHI website members via a listserv and e-newsletter
Sign up for our listserv!
Click here to view the current RHI newsletter
III. Strengthen local effortsto encourage healthy lifestyle choices and create prevention-focused communities by linking the expertise of Montanans to communities in need of assistance. Consider mechanisms to jump start new and support ongoing local prevention and wellness programs.
IV. Provide educational programs, including Webinars, designed to increase the capacity of local communities to provide prevention and wellness programs.
Click here to view past webinars
Contacts
Julia Middleton, RHI Project Coordinator
406-994-5310
julia.middleton@montana.edu
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