A Rural Health Network is a group of rural health care providers that share resources and identify ways to reach common goals.
The Adirondack Rural Health Network (ARHN) is a program of AHI (Adirondack Health Institute) that covers seven counties (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington) in northeastern New York. The Adirondack Rural Health Network is a community partnership of public, private and non-profit organizations. Its mission is:
“To undertake community health activities that are best accomplished through the collective effort of its member organizations and that focus on health problems of greatest priority, address health needs of underserved populations and add value to the region’s health care system.”
ARHN creates a shared process for developing strategies and for carrying out, checking and evaluating the regional health care system.
Together the partners develop a Community Health Assessment (CHA)
- A data-driven process, looking at many health and prevention indicators in comparison to state and national targets;
- Using the data they work together to develop programs to improve health results.
New York State Prevention Agenda
The New York State Department of Health Prevention Agenda 2019-2024 is a blueprint for state and local action to improve the health of New Yorkers. It guides regional health planning activities and resources. This is integral to ARHN initiatives which support activities related to the NYS DOH Prevention Agenda 2019-2024.
ARHN History
The Adirondack Rural Health Network began in 1992 when the Upper Hudson Primary Care Consortium received a grant from the New York State Department of Health. Over the years, ARHN has assisted in regional community health planning with special focus on primary care, behavioral health, oral health, and emergency medical/pre-hospital services. It links community health centers, hospitals, local public health departments, community behavioral health programs, emergency medical services, and other health-related service agencies by providing a forum to address the regional rural health care system.
In 2011, AHI (Adirondack Health Institute) was established on the shoulders of the Upper Hudson Primary Care Consortium. AHI expands regional collaboration among health care and social service providers serving the Adirondack region in New York State. AHI addresses rapid changes and challenges to the health care industry by working with local providers and organizations through the coordination of planning, recruiting, clinical activities, outreach, and oversight of grant-supported programs. AHI is a joint venture of Adirondack Health, Glens Falls Hospital, Hudson Headwaters Health Network and UVM Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. ARHN operates as a program of AHI (Adirondack Health Institute).
