HealthReach partners with The Center for Tobacco Independence

Waterville – Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, is happy to announce a new partnership between HealthReach Community Health Centers and The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence (CTI). CTI administers the statewide tobacco treatment contract on behalf of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

HealthReach + MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence

Under this partnership, CTI supports HealthReach in expanding its tobacco treatment services by providing staff with enhanced skills and resources. CTI provides staff training, technical support, and data monitoring to ensure that HealthReach staff have what they need to support patients in treatment.
Coggins shares, “Our long-term collaboration with the Center for Tobacco Independence has been strengthened by partnering in a grant-funded effort in 2024. This effort has brought training opportunities for our staff to improve our engagement with patients in addressing tobacco use and offering resources – such as The Maine QuitLink – to help patients become tobacco-free.“

This partnership is a part of HealthReach initiatives in 2024 and beyond to broaden access to Substance Use Disorder services and education, and to decrease barriers that prevent patients from getting the help that they need. By integrating evidence-based tobacco treatment into routine healthcare services, HealthReach improves health outcomes and reduces the burden of tobacco-related disease. For more information about CTI and the additional resources and trainings they provide, visit CTIMaine.org.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs – including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 49-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources.
The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.

HealthReach Receives “Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0” Recognition at Eight Sites

Western Maine – This year, HealthReach Community Health Centers is happy to announce that it has received Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 program recognition across eight of its local healthcare practices.

Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 is a program focused on education around obesity and healthy living for primary care practice teams. The program provides materials to support “simple changes for better health, such as moving more, eating real food, drinking water, and getting adequate rest.”

HealthReach’s longstanding partnership with Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 has had positive impacts on both HealthReach patients and their care teams. This year, HealthReach was recognized for excellence in obesity prevention. The sites recognized include Belgrade Regional Health Center, Bethel Family Health Center, Lovejoy Health Center (of Albion), Rangeley Family Medicine, Richmond Area Health Center, Sheepscot Valley Health Center (of Coopers Mills / Whitefield), Strong Area Health Center, and Western Maine Family Health Center (of Livermore Falls).

Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, shares, “HealthReach is proud to once again be recognized for our staff’s efforts to help our patients achieve their best health. Local, affordable, quality care is only possible through effective partnership between clinician and patient – so we also must thank our community members for engaging so well in our programs. Thank you!”

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily representthe official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Ultraviolet Light Safety

Ultraviolet (UV) lights are invisible rays of light from the sun that are a leading cause of skin cancer. UV light can also hurt eyes.

Protect yourself from UV light with these tips:

  • Wear protective gear outside – UV-block sunglasses, as well as hats and other clothing that cover your skin.
  • Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen – an SPF of 15 or higher – on exposed skin.
  • Find shade if you spend a long time outside.
  • Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps that emit UV light, which can impact both your eyes and skin.

 

Resource: www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety

Great Outdoors Month

Enjoy the Maine outdoors this month!

Spending time outdoors…

  • is a great way to get physical activity,
  • has proven mental health benefits, and
  • reduces stress.

Outdoor Activities

  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Going to the beach
  • Hiking
  • Watching wildlife

Asthma Awareness Month

Nearly 25 million Americans have Asthma. Asthma is a chronic disease that impacts your lungs, sometimes making breathing more difficult.

  • Have regular check-ups with your clinician to help monitor and manage your asthma.
  • Identify your asthma triggers and avoid them.
  • Notify your doctor of any changes in your asthma symptoms.
  • Be prepared – and know what to do – for when you have an asthma attack.