non-metro communities champion health
on the road in Northwestern Rhode Island
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Living in the second most densely populated state in the country, Rhode Islanders may not realize that about half of the state is considered non-metropolitan. That designation was the underlying factor in a local observance of National Rural Health Day at the North Scituate Community House, which included the presentation of Rural Health Champion Awards to: Susan Jacobsen, Dr. Kobad Malesra, Dr. Robert D. Maltz, Andrea Marcotte, Janet McLinden, S. Scott Muelleer, Mary Mumford-Haley and Shawna Zincone. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health and Rhode Island Department of Health’s Office of Primary Care and Rural Health hosted this event, while Dr. Michael Fine, director of the health department, and Mia Patriarca of the rural health office released details from an updated report, The Health of Rhode Island Non-Metropolitan Communities. It covers the challenges and accomplishments of healthcare in these areas. YWCA Rhode Island is a recipient of a Rural Health Systems Building Award from Rhode Island Department of Health, for a project in Northwestern Rhode Island – Healthy Steps for Girls and Women. |
Photos, clockwise: Andrea Marcotte, Mia Patriarca and Dr. Michael Fine; Linda Andrews of nriAHEC and Meseret Bezuneh of HRSA; panelists Marybeth Ouellette of Scituate Health Alliance and Lisa Piscatelli of YWCA Rhode Island; and other event participants. |
healthy steps for girls and womenHealthy Steps for Girls and Women is an initiative that builds on the connectedness of families in the Northwestern Rhode Island communities of Burrillville, Foster, Glocester and Scituate to promote preventive health care and physical activity. YWCA Rhode Island in partnership with nriAHEC are working with a Steering Committee to develop and implement a community assessment and strategic plan. The project is sponsored by Rhode Island Department of Health. As part of the planning process, a PhotoVoice Assessment asked young women about the physical activity and sports opportunities in their communities. |
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What physical activities and/or sports do girls and young women enjoy in your community? Photos, clockwise:
Meghan McCormick, Burrillville
“They [girls and young women in my community] can do gymnastics, cheering, soccer, arts and crafts. I like my bike and scooter.”
Meredith Cabral, Glocester
“Girls in my community enjoy playing basketball, softball, tennis or track and field.”
Meaghan Haley, Scituate
“Sports and physical activities that young women do in my neighborhood are cheerleading, basketball, softball, dance and my personal favorite, soccer.”
Michaela Smith, Foster
“Some girls in my community like to participate in women’s ice hockey [Friendship Cup Challenge Champs].”
