Health (Urban & Rural)
Health Care is by far the largest and fastest growing sector in the MRCOG region. With nearly 17% of all jobs in the region (over 67,000 workers) and a 2.8% growth rate, the health care sector does not look like it will slow any time soon. Additionally, the population is trending towards higher numbers of seniors aged 65 and up leading to a greater need for health services.
Much of the health care legacy was established a century ago when this region was a center for tuberculosis treatment; however, while a robust system thrives in the cities, today’s rural communities have vastly different access to health care with most of rural New Mexico considered a health care provider shortage area. This demand puts a strain on existing resources and highlights the need for workforce training and new service delivery methods like full-service clinics and remote services like Project ECHO.
Urban Health
| Urban | Health |
|---|---|
| Strategies for doing this? | • Build a pipeline of health professionals through tools like education loan forgiveness, etc.
• Expand education systems and training for all health care professionals specially nurse practitioners and Physician Assistants
• Create a medical tourism program that expands demand for services and brings in new revenue
• Support project ECHO and other remote services |
| How would we know if we were successful?
What are the key metrics? |
• People can access a primary care physician
• More physicians available
• Health care sector jobs are growing
• Workforce training increases |
| Who are the catalysts?
Who should be accountable for this? |
• Educational Institutions, State of NM, Private hospitals; First Choice Community Health Care |
| How do we build resilience in this focus area? | • Focus on wellness and preventative care
|
Rural Health
| Rural | Health |
|---|---|
| Strategies for doing this? | • New health care facilities in rural areas
• Create opportunities for providers to deliver services in remote areas (rural, tribal) not otherwise offered
• Programs that focus on prevention, healthy eating, cooking classes, prescription trails, etc.
• Apprenticeships for health care workforce in rural clinics
• Mobile care delivery units
• Use Project ECHO to address opioid crisis
• Additional clinics like First Choice Community Health Care • Support companies eligible for rural job tax credits |
| How would we know if we were successful?
What are the key metrics? |
• Health indicators point to healthier residents
• Rates of hospitalizations, communicable diseases decrease |
| Who are the catalysts?
Who should be accountable for this? |
• Elected officials; training providers, CNM, UNM |
| How do we build resilience in this focus area? | • Health education
• Preventative services
• Health fairs
• Immunization clinics
• Co-op Health Insurance |