Blog

Join Our Team!

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:23:52 GMT

We are hiring!

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts provides skills, expertise, and experience to create successful public health campaigns and sustainable system changes to improve health and well-being in Western MA and beyond. We are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce that fully represents the communities we work in. Join our team as we work to ensure that all people in our region have what they need to lead healthy lives.

We are currently looking to fill two positions:

Communications Coordinator PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of applications we have received, we will be closing this position on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Data Coordinator PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of applications we have received, we will be closing this on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Healthy Air Network invites you to their Air Quality & Transportation Showcases

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:07:36 GMT

These open-house style events are a chance to connect, learn, and take action around air quality and transportation in our community. Drop in at anytime, move at your own pace, visit different tables, and dive into the topics that matter to you! Kids are welcome — activities will be provided. We will also serve food and refreshments.

What You’ll Experience:

Be the first to see the NEW Healthy Air Network App Launching this spring — get a sneak peek at how you can track air quality and stay informed.
Understand the link between air quality & transportation Learn how traffic, transit, and daily choices affect the air we breathe.
Turn awareness into action Explore real opportunities to advocate for policies that protect our health and our community.

Greenfield Showcase

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Greenfield Public Library, 412 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301
Register here: bit.ly/GreenfieldHAN

Holyoke Showcase

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Enlace de Familias, 299 Main St, Holyoke, MA 01040
Register here: bit.ly/HolyokeHAN

Information will be similar at both sessions.

Download Flyer in English

Download Flyer in Spanish

The Healthy Air Network is a collaboration of organizations and community members who work to improve air quality, increase climate resilience, and advocate for environmental justice in Massachusetts. The Network is led by the Public Health Institute of Western MA, with technical lead Yale School of Public Health.

Recording & Slides Now Available! Health Coverage at Risk Webinar

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:46:00 GMT

Health Coverage at Risk: What New Federal Rules Mean for Western Massachusetts

Up to 300,000 Massachusetts residents could lose health insurance under new federal redetermination and work‑reporting rules. What does this mean for communities in Western Massachusetts?

Watch the recording from our March 20, 2026, webinar for a discussion of the latest regional data, who may be most affected, and how state agencies and community healthcare providers are responding. Speakers will share insights on the potential impacts and what organizations can do to support residents facing coverage loss.

Speakers included:

Jessica Gottsegen, Senior Policy and Research Analyst, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Katherine Howitt, Vice President of Policy and Research, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine- Berkshires, PHIWM Board Member
Lisa Ranghelli, Director of Assessment and Capacity Building, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts

Webinar Materials

Links Shared

For specific questions related to member eligibility and/or access to benefits, here are a few helpful resources:
Health Care For All HelpLine
My Ombudsman
Enrollment Assister Search
MassHealth Customer Service Center
Upcoming MassHealth member-facing webinars
Find resources and information at 413Cares.org

March 20 Webinar, Health Coverage at Risk: What New Federal Rules Mean for Western Massachusetts

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:39:10 GMT

Up to 300,000 Massachusetts residents could lose health insurance under new federal redetermination and work‑reporting rules. What does this mean for communities in Western Massachusetts?

Join us on March 20 from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM for a discussion of the latest regional data, who may be most affected, and how state agencies and community healthcare providers are responding. Speakers will share insights on the potential impacts and what organizations can do to support residents facing coverage loss.

Featuring speakers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation , Volunteers in Medicine , and the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts .

New Coalition: Advancing Chicopee Together/Adelantando Chicopee Juntos (ACT)

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:57:58 GMT

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) and the City of Chicopee announced Friday, February 27, 2026, the launch of Advancing Chicopee Together / Adelantando Chicopee Juntos (ACT) , a new community coalition bringing together residents, organizations, and local leaders to improve health and advance equity in Chicopee.

Rooted in extensive community feedback and collaboration, ACT will initially focus on two priority areas: access to nutritious food and maternal/perinatal health. Community health data indicate that Chicopee has higher rates of hypertension and obesity than the state overall, contributing to higher premature mortality. Additionally, the city has higher rates of gestational diabetes and is currently experiencing a shortage of OB providers, limiting access to prenatal and postpartum care.

"The launch of Advancing Chicopee Together/Adelantando Chicopee Juntos reflects our city’s deep commitment to ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to live a healthy, thriving life,” said Mayor John Vieau . “We know that access to nutritious food and quality maternal and perinatal care are foundational to strong families and strong communities. By bringing residents, healthcare providers, community organizations, and local leaders to the same table, we are taking meaningful, data-driven action to address health inequities in Chicopee. I am proud to partner with the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and our community stakeholders as we work together to build a healthier, more equitable future for all who call Chicopee home."

"It’s been an honor for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts to work with so many dedicated groups in Chicopee to learn more about these health challenges and how we can come together to address issues like food access, low birthweight, and diabetes,” said Jessica Collins, executive director of PHIWM . “We have real momentum and are forging ahead.”

ACT was formed as part of Addressing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM), a statewide initiative centered on regional and racial equity in health. AHEM currently prioritizes maternal health and the social determinants of health, using a place-based framework that allows communities to identify their own strengths and solutions.

Coalition Strategies:

Improve awareness, coordination, and connection to local food and maternal health resources.
Expand education, support, and access for pregnant and postpartum individuals and those with chronic conditions.
Increase awareness and access to doula services to strengthen culturally responsive perinatal support.

The Steering Committee consists of resident advisors and representatives from Baystate Health, Breaking Oppression, City of Chicopee, Chicopee Health Department, Chicopee City Council, Chicopee Parks and Recreation Department, Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, Elms College, Food Bank of Western MA, Holyoke Health Center, Tapestry Health, and Valley Opportunity Council.

This project is funded by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation .

News Coverage

Photos From the Event

Annual Legislative Briefing

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:30:39 GMT

On February 9, 2026, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts convened partners and legislators to celebrate the FY26 earmark for 413Cares.org and to share updates on major regional initiatives.

PHIWM extends deep appreciation to Representative Michael Finn, Senator Adam Gomez, and the entire Western Massachusetts legislative delegation for their continued partnership and support for 413Cares.org , which remains a critical tool for connecting Western MA residents to help when they need it most.

413Cares.org saw major growth in 2025, with searches doubling and the number of users increasing more than fourfold.

Check out photos from the gathering below!

New Annual Report! 2025 In-Numbers

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:53:37 GMT

Explore our 2025 annual report below or download a copy.

Thank you for 30 years of partnership!

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 21:26:48 GMT

In 1996, courageous and visionary leaders from competing healthcare institutions created a public health organization to bring people together, secure resources, and convene multiple sectors to focus on community health issues that were not being addressed. That collective vision and action manifested in Partners for a Healthier Community, now the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Over the past 30 year s, we have strengthened partnerships and uplifted community voices. We are more committed than ever to ensure everyone has what they need to lead a healthy life. Thank you for your decades of partnership and lifetime of active hope.

Recording posted! Internet Casino Gambling Webinar

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:15:27 GMT

Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2022, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities?

Watch the recording from the 1/9/26 webinar. Speakers included Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion was moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

Webinar Materials

Take Action

This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting, AND, OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Instructions & Email Template

Links Shared during webinar

Action Alert: Help Add Restrictions to Sports Gambling & Prevent New "Online Casino Gambling'

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:01:34 GMT

Before March 5, 2026, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to:

A. SUPPORT legislation to add common-sense regulations on sports-betting,

AND

B. OPPOSE legislation that would legalize online casino gambling.

Step 1.

Write and send an email on your own time, from your personal email , unless you are representing your employer, with their approval. This action is lobbying.*

Step 2.

Use any (or all) of this template to write your email; be sure to tailor the highlighted blanks with your own words.

Step 3.

After sending the email to Sen. Finegold & Rep. Fiola, forward it to you own state senator and state representative —or you can simply cc them. (If you’re not sure who they are, find them here .)

Questions?

Text/Call Andrea Freeman, PHIWM’s Policy Director, 978-895-0960, afreeman@publichealthwm.org

*Note:

For more information about nonprofits and lobbying in MA:

8-min video from PHIWM;
Advocacy & Lobbying Guide from MA Nonprofit Network;
MA Lobbying FAQs from the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

For more information on federal laws:

Technical Assistance from BolderAdvocacy.org ;
IRS.gov’s website about nonprofits and lobbying.

This is not a substitute for legal advice.

Webinar Jan 9 about online casino gambling

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:58:48 GMT

Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2023, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities? Speakers include Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion will be moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during a live Q&A.

Speaker Bios

Press Release: Kresge Foundation awards grant to Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and Live Well Springfield to combat climate change, improve community health

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:04:21 GMT

Springfield, MA – The Kresge Foundation has awarded the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts , as convener of the Live Well Springfield coalition, a grant of $225,000 per year for three years to address climate change and protect people’s health in communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat, flooding, air and water pollution, and chronic and infectious disease.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is one of 32 organizations nationwide receiving grant funding as part of The Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change, Health and Equity initiative. Live Well Springfield partners on the grant include Arise for Social Justice, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Way Finders, and Springfield Climate Justice Coalition. With this funding, the Live Well Springfield Climate Change, Health, and Equity Committee (CCHE) will expand its efforts to build a healthier, more resilient Springfield.

The Live Well Springfield CCHE Committee will:

Work with the City of Springfield to build awareness and adoption of the Community Choice Power Supply Program, which uses collective buying power to secure stable, affordable electricity from cleaner, renewable sources. Live Well Springfield successfully advocated for the City to adopt this program, with support from a previous Kresge grant.
Help update the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, ensuring it reflects current challenges and community needs.
Explore housing development policies that protect residents from extreme heat.
Continue to advance statewide advocacy against polluting biomass facilities.
Host community workshops on climate resilience.

“Kresge’s continued investment in Springfield is vital to sustaining our momentum in advancing climate justice. We feel proud and empowered to stand tall among the many major cities that were also selected for this honor,” said Samantha Hamilton, Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts .

“Collaboration is critical to address the impacts of climate change,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. “These Kresge funds will help us advance strategies originally planned with the city and other partners before the EPA unexpectedly terminated the $20 million Community Change grant. We are so grateful that private philanthropy continues to step up and support local and regional climate mitigation work.”

“The human health impacts of climate change are profound, and while climate change affects us all, it hits some communities harder than others. The pollution that creates dangerous heat waves and severe storms causes the most harm in communities already experiencing persistent health inequities, like lack of access to safe housing and quality health care, as well as chronic illnesses and respiratory disease, said Shamar Bibbins, Kresge Environment Program managing director . “Equitable solutions must be driven by the communities most affected, and doing so in partnership with trusted health practitioners and institutions can amplify local innovations and build broader momentum for change.”

“Long-term change in cities requires strong and sustained cross-sector partnerships. Working together, we ensure that all of us, no matter who we are or where we live, have the opportunity to be healthy and to thrive. Climate action is fundamentally a public health imperative—offering transformative opportunities to reduce mental health burdens, chronic diseases, and infectious disease spread while advancing health equity for all," said Monica Valdes Lupi, Kresge Health Program managing director .

For more information on Kresge's Climate Change, Health & Equity initiative, click here .

ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts supports communities in their efforts to become measurably healthier and more equitable through community engagement, convening collaborative partnerships, communications, data analysis, research and evaluation, and policy advocacy. We are committed to continuous learning, fostering collaboration, and amplifying the voices of those we serve. For more information, visit PublicHealthWM.org

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Recording posted! Rural Health Equity Webinar

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:44:05 GMT

Rural Realities: Advancing Health Equity in Western MA's Rural Communities

Access materials from the November 14, 2025 webinar, Rural Realities: Advancing Health Equity in Western MA's Rural Communities , which featured State Senator Jo Comerford , Laura Kittross , Public Health Program Manager, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Lisa Ranghelli , Director of Assessment and Capacity Building, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, and Phoebe Walker , Director of Community Health, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, with moderation by Andrea Freeman , Policy Director, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

Webinar materials

Links shared

Rural Realities: Financial Insecurity and Health Inequities in Our Rural Communities
MA DPH Community Health Equity Initiative
Coalition of Western Massachusetts Hospitals/Insurer Community Health Needs Assessments:
Baystate Health Community Health Needs Assessments
Mercy Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment
Berkshire Health and Health New England CHNAs will be available soon!
Public Health Excellence Grant Program
Rural Health Transformation Program
Franklin-Hampshire Public Health Training Hub
Berkshire-Hampden Public Health Training Hub
FRCOG, Age & Dementia Friendly Communities
Age & Dementia Friendly Franklin County & North Quabbin
Berkshire Overdose Addiction Prevention Collaborative (BOAPC)
UPCOMING EVENT- LIVE Special National Rural Health Day Event, November 20, 2025

Media Coverage

Greenfield Recorder, Webinar talks public health needs in rural communities, November 16, 2025

Fall 2025 Respiratory Virus Information

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:18:39 GMT

Get information about current vaccine recommendations and answers to common questions

Vaccines help keep you and your family healthy. When children receive all recommended immunizations on time, our whole community benefits. High vaccination rates help create community immunity, protecting everyone.

With ongoing national conversations about vaccines, you may have questions. In Massachusetts, COVID-19 vaccines are available to ages 6 months and older and are covered by health insurance. Flu and RSV vaccine recommendations remain the same as last year. For more information, see chart below for who is eligible for vaccines to protect you from seasonal respiratory illnesses. We have also compiled answers to common questions to help clarify what to expect this season. If you have other questions about seasonal viruses and vaccines, you can submit them here .

Vaccine Recommendations for the 2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season

Frequently Asked Questions

Have other questions?

Help us understand what else would be helpful to know about respiratory viruses so the community can feel informed. We will take this into consideration for future communications through our newsletter and website.

Upcoming Webinar Nov 14 on Rural Health Equity

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 19:32:37 GMT

Join us for a free webinar, November 14, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm, exploring the unique challenges and strengths of rural communities across Western Massachusetts, featuring State Senator Jo Comerford , Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district, Laura Kittross , Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and Phoebe Walker, Franklin Regional Council of Governments.

Resident Advisors Gather For Peer-to-Peer Learning

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:17:47 GMT

On September 27th, resident advisors (RAs) from the Public Health Institute of Western MA gathered at Regreen Springfield for a Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop. RAs from the following 5 coalitions shared successes, challenges, and key learnings. A team of RAs representing each initiative led presentations that sparked dialogue, allowing everyone to learn from one another, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of community efforts.

Intergenerational Social Connections (ISC): Focuses on bringing youth and older adults together in Springfield to reduce loneliness, build relationships, and strengthen community across generations.

Live Well Springfield Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE): Focuses on advancing community choice energy for Springfield, creating strategies to address extreme heat, and developing a new Climate Change Action Plan for the city.

Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI): Focuses on addressing Springfield’s housing needs by improving housing conditions, increasing affordability, and expanding opportunities for homeownership.

Healthy Air Network: Focuses on monitoring air quality, exploring transportation issues, developing an innovative app, and tackling climate change challenges

The workshop also served as a warm welcome and orientation for new RAs joining the committees, especially our new Parent Advisors for the Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), which is focused on youth mental health and problem gambling.

Learn more about the resident advisor program .

Recording posted! Vaping/Nicotine Pouch Webinar

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:56:15 GMT

Access materials from the September 16 webinar, Vaping & Nicotine Pouches: Understanding the New Landscape, which featured Dr. Nicole Porther, Chair of the Department of Health Professions, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Catherine Brooks , Senior Research Evaluation Specialist, Collaborative for Educational Services.

New speaker announced for Sept 25 Vaping Webinar

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:13:42 GMT

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Heather Warner is unable to join the webinar. Catherine Brooks has agreed to participate in her place.

Vaping & Nicotine Pouches: Understanding the New Landscape

Date: Friday, September 26, 2026

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Join us for an informative webinar as we explore the evolving landscape of tobacco and nicotine use, with a special focus on vaping and nicotine pouches like Zyns. This session will offer a high-level overview of emerging products, usage trends, and potential mitigation strategies—especially relevant for youth, families, community-based organizations (CBOs), and municipalities.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Nicole Porther, Chair of the Department of Health Professions, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Catherine Brooks, Senior Research Evaluation Specialist, Collaborative for Educational Services

Moderator:

Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western MA

Upcoming Webinar Sept 26 About Vaping & Nicotine Pouches

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 20:56:11 GMT

Vaping & Nicotine Pouches: Understanding the New Landscape

Date: Friday, September 26, 2026

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Nicole Porther, Chair of the Department of Health Professions, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Heather Warner, MPH, Hampshire Franklin Tobacco-Free Community Partnership Coordinator, Collaborative for Educational Services

Moderator:

Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western MA

New Report! Rural Realities: Financial insecurity and health inequities in our rural communities

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:05:30 GMT

Check out our new report, Rural Realities: Financial insecurity and health inequities in our rural communities—insights from the 2023 Community Health Equity Survey - Western MA and Statewide . We created this report as part of our work as a Regional Data to Action Provider for the Community Health Equity Initiative . Rural communities have unique needs. It is important to understand how inequities and challenges manifest in rural areas in our Western MA region to support action based on assets and unique needs.

The Many Steps to Getting a Question on MA’s Statewide Ballot

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:37:09 GMT

2025-26 Ballot Question Timeline Initiative Petition for a Law

Even though Election Day 2026 is a long way off, scores of advocates are already working to get laws passed by the will of the voters rather than the Legislature. August 6 was the deadline to file “initiative petitions” with the Attorney General’s Office —just the first step of many.

August 6, 2025: Last day to submit petitions signed by 10 original signers to the Attorney General.
September 3, 2025: First day to file petitions certified by the Attorney General with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to request blank petition forms (petitions are provided within 14 days of request).
November 19, 2025: Last day to submit signed petitions to local registrars of voters for certification.
December 3, 2025: Last day to file certified petitions with the Secretary.
January 7, 2026 : First legislative day of the year – successful petitions transmitted to House Clerk.
May 5, 2026: Last day for Legislature to act on petition.
May 6, 2026: First day petitioners may request additional petitions from the Secretary.
June 2, 2026: Deadline for petitioners to file an amended petition with the Secretary, with a certificate from the Attorney General that the amendment does not materially change the substance of the measure.
June 17, 2026: Last day to file petitions with local registrars for certification.
July 1, 2026: Last day to file certified petitions with the Secretary (first day is June 3, 2026).
November 3, 2026: Election Day

From A Guide to Statewide Ballot Question Petitions, May 2025 , by the MA Office of the Secretary of State, Election Division

Honoring nearly two decades of impact

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:46:54 GMT

Kathleen Szegda, Senior Director of Community Research and Evaluation, will be leaving the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts at the end of July. We are sad to see her go, but wish her the best in this next chapter. Kathleen will remain connected to PHIWM and continue supporting public health innovation through consulting.

Below are some photos from yesterday's gathering in honor of Kathleen.

Samantha Hamilton was one of 12 leaders from across the country featured in Kresge's Annual Report

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:21:17 GMT

Congratulations to Samantha Hamilton and the other 11 PathBreakers featured in The Kresge Foundation's 2024 annual report. Read her story and look out for her upcoming interview on the PathBreakers podcast .

Engaging a community health ambassador model to promote COVID-19 vaccine in three Massachusetts communities

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:55:27 GMT

Jessica Collins and Liv Anna Homstead published in Vaccine

Jessica Collins and Liv Anna Homstead co-authored a paper with staff from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers, Essex County Community Organization, and Brockton Workers Alliance in the journal, Vaccine, called "Engaging a community health ambassador model to promote COVID-19 vaccine in three Massachusetts communities".

Recording and Materials Now Available, Fighting for Air Webinar

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 18:00:38 GMT

Access webinar materials from the June 25, 2025 webinar, Fighting for Air: Updates on the proposed biomass plant in Springfield :

Recording

This webinar featured:

State Senator Adam Gomez
Attorney Michael Fenton, Springfield City Council President
Rusty Polsgrove, Associate Director, Arise for Social Justice
Dr. Matthew Sadof, pediatrician, Baystate Health
Sarita Hudson, Senior Director of Strategy and Development, Public Health Institute of Western MA

Learn more about the bills discussed in the webinar:

View some of the media coverage of the event:

Just Treatment and Meaningful Involvement of All People

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:54:20 GMT

Putting Resources Into Practice

Sarita Hudson is the Senior Director of Strategy and Development at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Read her reflection about environmental justice.

"It is so powerful to see the roots of the environmental justice movement and understand how our efforts in Western Massachusetts grow from those courageous and visionary people. Together in 1991, those leaders framed environmental justice, and later in 2009, they created climate justice principles. I am inspired and proud that these ideas have been adopted at the state level and previously by the EPA. I’ve been so struck by the language “just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people,” and I strive to work towards those goals in my work."

Learn more about environmental justice and find other helpful resources in the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide .

Upcoming Webinar About Proposed Biomass Plant

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:55:30 GMT

Fighting For Air: Updates on the proposed biomass plan in Springfield

The Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition has been working for 20 years to support families and decrease asthma rates. Two recent court decisions have revived permits for a biomass plant in Springfield, MA, which could reverse the strides made to prevent poor asthma outcomes . Biomass energy involves burning organic matter such as wood, which pollutes our air with harmful particulate matter . Community groups and health advocates have been fighting against this proposed plant for more than a decade.

Now, there's a critical opportunity : state law, proposed by Sen. Adam Gomez and Rep. Orlando Ramos, aims to eliminate state financial incentives for biomass , making the proposed plant less viable.

Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 12:00-1:00 pm to understand the health impacts of biomass, how this vital legislation can help block it, and what you can do to make a difference.

Speakers

State Senator Adam Gomez
Michael Fenton, Springfield City Council President
Rusty Polsgrove, Associate Director, Arise for Social Justice
Dr. Matthew Sadof, pediatrician, Baystate Health

You're Invited: June 28 Housing Resource Fair

Fri, 30 May 2025 17:09:17 GMT

Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative invites you to attend their Housing Resource Fair

Join us for a FREE community Housing Resource Fair hosted by Live Well Springfield’s Transforming Communities Initiative!

Connect with housing assistance organizations and experts,
Discover resources and information for renters, homeowners, and aspiring buyers, and
Learn about vital housing advocacy.

Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with a Kids' Activity Zone and delicious Food Trucks ! Plus, the first 100 registrants receive a special goodie bag!

Mark your calendar: Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00 am -2:00 pm at Brookings Elementary School.

Vendor Opportunities

This family-friendly event is designed to connect Springfield residents – including renters, current homeowners, and aspiring homeowners – with vital information, resources, and direct support related to housing.

Why Participate as a Vendor?

Direct Engagement: Connect face-to-face with a diverse and engaged audience actively seeking housing-related services, resources, and information.
Community Impact: Showcase your commitment to supporting the Springfield community and empowering residents on their housing journeys.
Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with other housing assistance organizations and community partners.
Visibility: Increase awareness of your programs, services, and initiatives.

PHIWM Joins CLF to urge MA to end public subsidies for biomass

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:09:44 GMT

The Springfield City Council and Springfield Zoning Board of Approvals, represented by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), asked the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to review a decision that revived building permits for the controversial Palmer Renewable Energy biomass facility in Springfield. Read CLF's press release for more information.

Community groups and health advocates have been fighting against this proposed plant for more than a decade. Burning biomass, like wood, pollutes our air with particulate matter, contributing to asthma and other serious health issues.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts recently joined CLF and more than 86 other organizations urging MA lawmakers to end public subsidies for biomass energy.

Act Now! Tell the Massachusetts Legislature to take dirty biomass out of our clean energy programs!

Showing Up When It’s Hard

Wed, 14 May 2025 20:06:46 GMT

Beyonca Twiggs is a Project Coordinator at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Read her reflection below about engaging in equity work and showing up even when it is hard.

Showing Up When It's Hard

There are days when the work feels heavy. Not just the tasks or the meetings, but the weight of what we’re trying to change. Systems that were never built for everyone. Patterns that repeat across generations. Stories that aren’t told, because they’ve been ignored for so long.

On those days, I remind myself why I’m here.

I didn’t get into this work because I had all the answers. I got into it because I kept seeing the same harm, the same gaps, the same silence, especially around race and health. And I wanted to be part of interrupting that silence.

I’ve learned that equity work isn’t about checking boxes or writing the right statement. It’s about being willing to stay in the room when things are uncomfortable. It’s about asking, “Who’s not here?” and meaning it. It’s about choosing to be accountable, not just when someone is watching, but especially when no one is.

It means listening even when the truth stings. It means making space for stories that challenge how we see the world and how we see ourselves.

Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s painful. But every time we choose to show up differently— more aware, more honest, more intentional—something shifts. And over time, those shifts start to matter.

I’ve also learned that change doesn’t always look like a policy passed or a report released. Sometimes, it looks like someone feeling seen for the first time. Sometimes, it’s a door that wasn’t open before. Sometimes, it’s just staying committed when it would be easier to walk away.

I am doing this work because I believe in the possibility of something better, and not just in theory, but in practice. In neighborhoods. In classrooms. In clinics. In the everyday places where people deserve to be safe, to be well, and to be valued.

This isn’t just professional for me. It’s personal. Because the stakes are real. Because our communities deserve more than survival. They deserve care. They deserve joy. They deserve justice.

So no, I don’t have all the answers. But I’m here. I’m learning. I’m listening. And I’m staying. Because the work is worth it. And so are the people we do it for.

If you’re looking for ways to deepen your understanding, continue learning, or spend more time with the stories and voices that shape this work, I encourage you to explore the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide . It offers tools, reflections, and local resources to support ongoing growth.

Press Release: Springfield City Council Unanimously Passes Resolution Supporting Clean Slate Legislation

Tue, 13 May 2025 19:44:28 GMT

Springfield, MA - May 13 - In a major step toward advancing criminal legal reform in Massachusetts, the Springfield City Council last night unanimously passed a resolution in support of the Clean Slate legislation which is currently before the Massachusetts legislature. Clean Slate laws would remove unnecessary barriers to opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people currently eligible to have their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) sealed.

View the resolution HERE.

The Clean Slate legislative package includes:

H.1811 / S.1114: An Act requiring clean slate automated sealing, filed by Senator Cindy Friedman and Representatives Mary Keefe and Andres Vargas
H.1693 / S.1124: An Act to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence, filed by Senator Adam Gomez and Representative Fluker-Reid

About one in five adults in Massachusetts have criminal court records, many for offenses that are decades old or never resulted in a conviction. Yet these records continue to block access to jobs, housing, education, and stability - undermining families and entire communities.

Springfield City Council Vice President Tracye Whitfield, a long-time advocate for equity and economic opportunity, praised the resolution and the broader movement behind it.

“Clean Slate is a game-changer for Springfield and Massachusetts,” said Councilor Whitfield . “For too long, systemic barriers have limited opportunities for communities of color - but this initiative opens new doors. It’s a powerful step toward racial equity and economic justice, giving our residents the chance to build brighter futures with fair access to jobs, housing, and stability.”

“Everyone deserves the chance to move forward without being held back by a past mistake,” said Brother Al Hubert , long-time Springfield community advocate, a facilitator with the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA), and member of Clean Slate Massachusetts. “Clean Slate is about restoring dignity, unlocking potential, and creating real pathways to justice, equity, and economic opportunity for all.”

“We’re thrilled that the City Council in Springfield—the third largest city in Massachusetts—is the first in the Commonwealth to spotlight the fact that individuals, employers, and even the court system can hugely benefit from an administrative fix to seal eligible CORIs", said Andrea Freeman, Policy Director for the Public Health Institute of Western MA and member of Clean Slate MA.

Pauline Quirion , Director of the CORI & Re-entry Project at Greater Boston Legal Services, testified that Clean Slate promotes access to justice and is the only way to address racial disparities in the criminal legal system and the harm caused by CORI in a large-scale way. "Everyone deserves a chance to work, support their families, and participate in their communities,” she said.

Nationally, 1 in 3 adults has a criminal record. In Massachusetts, 9 in 10 employers, 4 in 5 landlords, and 3 in 5 colleges and universities use background checks, often disqualifying individuals regardless of the age or outcome of their case. Legal aid organizations report that many people never learn they are eligible to seal their records, or face months-long backlogs when they try.

The proposed Clean Slate legislation would:

Replace the current paper-based sealing process with an automated CORI sealing system;
Provide for immediate sealing of cases that end in dismissal, a not guilty finding, or other outcome that is not a conviction;
Ensure that CORI sealing happens promptly, eliminating unnecessary delays and backlogs.

The Springfield City Council’s resolution emphasizes that Black and Brown residents are disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system and that Clean Slate is a strong and scalable way to reduce those racial disparities in access to opportunity.

Clean Slate Massachusetts is a statewide coalition with support from the Clean Slate Initiative. Some of the coalition members include the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Neighbor to Neighbor, Greater Boston Legal Services, MOCHA, New North Citizens’ Council, Live Well Springfield, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, Fountain Fund, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, the Urban League, Progressive MA, Justice 4 Housing, New England Community Project, and many more. See current list of supporters and legislative co-sponsors .

For more information about Clean Slate legislation or to join the campaign, visit www.cleanslatema.org .

ABOUT CLEAN SLATE MASSACHUSETTS

Clean Slate Massachusetts is a coalition of community and statewide organizations, business leaders, impacted individuals and families, faith-based groups, and other advocates and allies. Our goal is to make record sealing happen as soon as individuals become eligible without any backlogs or delays, and without the need to file any paperwork or understand the complicated rules that apply to sealing of records. We believe that everyone in Massachusetts should be able to work, have a safe home, take care of their families, and contribute to their community.

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Webinar Recording Posted: Know Your Air, Updates from the Healthy Air Network

Tue, 13 May 2025 17:52:39 GMT

Catch the recording of Know Your Air: Updates from Healthy Air Network, held on April 30, 2025. Healthy Air Network staff and partners presented about the website's redesign, new app coming in 2026, network growth and expansion, air quality reports, local air sensor data, air quality legislation and funding cuts. Access the slides, webinar recording, and other helpful resources.

Webinar Materials:

Webinar Recording Posted, Tips for Effectively Using 413Cares

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:29:50 GMT

Check out the recording from our recent webinar featuring Liv Anna Homstead and Francheska Bermudez. This webinar was designed to help organizations and professionals maximize their use of 413Cares.org.

We are all on the same journey

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:00:03 GMT

Wanda Givens is a member of the leadership team for the Women of Color Health Equity Collective (WOCHEC). WOCHEC offers training and consulting services to address issues of white supremacy, health inequity, and more. As part of her work at WOCHEC, Wanda facilitates a training about cultural humility.

"What I love most about facilitating Cultural Humility is not what people learn about each other, but what they learn about themselves. The more we know about how we get to be who we are, the more we can understand and relate to someone else’s journey. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone come to the realization that they are more like others in the room than they are different. Our paths may take different roads, but essentially, we are all on the same journey."

Did you know the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide includes a listing of organizations like WOCHEC who can help guide your organization on its anti-racism journey and more!

Press Release: Getting Local Air Quality Info Is Easier Than Ever

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:15:09 GMT

Healthy Air Network Launches Redesigned Website to Empower Communities with Air Quality Data; Hosting 4/30 Free Webinar

Western MA – The Healthy Air Network is thrilled to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, HealthyAirNetwork.org . The enhanced platform offers a more user-friendly, visually engaging, and comprehensive resource for communities across Massachusetts to stay informed about local air quality.

“Our goal is to empower community members with knowledge and tools to make decisions about their health and to advocate for healthier air quality,” said Sarita Hudson, Senior Director of Strategy and Development with the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. “This newly improved website is a significant step forward in making air quality data understandable and actionable for residents, organizations, and decision-makers across Massachusetts.”

The Healthy Air Network is a collaborative effort of organizations and community members dedicated to improving air quality, increasing climate resilience, and advocating for environmental justice in Massachusetts. This network works to provide live air quality data directly to residents, analyze pollution sources, and advocate for changes that address poor air quality and related health inequities.

What’s New on the Healthy Air Network Website:

Simplified Navigation: Users can now easily find the information they need with a streamlined and intuitive menu.
Organized Content: Details about HAN’s mission, the pollutants measured, partner organizations, and other key information are now more accessible and clearly presented.
Enhanced Visuals: The website features more photos showcasing the network’s work and the diverse communities it serves.
Data Stories: Engaging narratives and visualizations explain how HAN’s network of air sensors tracks and reveals insights about local air quality.
Expanded Resources: The website now includes a wider range of information on air quality issues and the growing threat of extreme heat, providing valuable context and guidance.
Improved Sensor Map: Navigating the network of air quality sensors is now easier and more intuitive with an enhanced interactive map.

Air pollution can be a serious risk to your health. The growing network of low-cost air sensors provides real-time data on outdoor concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, along with historical trends. This data, now more accessible through the improved website, empowers us to make informed decisions to protect our health. Additionally, observing patterns over time helps us identify sources of air pollution and take action to prevent it.

“Our network of low-cost air sensors puts data in the hands of community members, and the new website makes it so much easier for people to understand what it means, how they can protect their health, and what they can do to improve air quality,” said the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s executive director, William Spitzer, PhD. “We use this data every day as we make decisions about what outdoor activities are safe for kids in our programs.”

The Healthy Air Network is led by the Public Health Institute of Western MA, with technical leadership from the Yale School of Public Health. Our partners in Western Massachusetts include Hitchcock Center for the Environment, City of Springfield, the City of Holyoke, Live Well Springfield, PV Asthma Coalition, and ReGreen Springfield. The Hitchcock Center for the Environment joined in 2022, expanding efforts into Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.

In 2023, the Massachusetts Asthma Action Partnership, convened by Health Resources in Action, joined to facilitate statewide expansion into New England. Groundwork Trusts in New Bedford, Lawrence, and Somerville have also recently become part of the network.

“We’re excited to work with Groundwork Trusts and other local partners to expand air quality monitoring efforts in Massachusetts communities that are disproportionately impacted by asthma,” said Geri Medina, who leads MAAP. “This work aligns with MAAP’s focus on addressing the root causes of asthma—like poor air quality, housing conditions, and school environments—by making data more accessible and actionable for the communities most affected.”

Is today a healthy air day? The Healthy Air Network invites the public to explore the newly improved website at HealthyAirNetwork.org and attend the 4/30/25 webinar, Know Your Air: Updates From Healthy Air Network , to learn more. Register here: https://bit.ly/42gfLYU

ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

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Download a PDF of the press release

Free webinar 4/30/25, Know Your Air: Updates from the Healthy Air Network

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:00:05 GMT

Join us for an engaging webinar hosted by the Healthy Air Network—a coalition working to improve air quality, boost climate resilience, and promote environmental justice across Massachusetts.

Learn about their:

Newly redesigned website
Expansion efforts into Franklin County, North Quabbin, and eastern Mass
Transportation work

Free Webinar 4/25, Tips for Effectively Using 413Cares

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:47:58 GMT

Have you used 413Cares to search for services? Do you want to learn the best tips and practices for navigating the platform efficiently? Join us for an informative session designed to help organizations and professionals maximize their use of 413Cares. This webinar is ideal for professionals who are newer to 413Cares, as well as those who have been using the platform and want to refine their search strategies and gain deeper insights.

What You’ll Learn:

Guidance for using 413Cares effectively
Best practices for finding and accessing services
Answers to common questions and tips

Webinar Recording Posted, Clean Slate Laws and Public Health

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:37:33 GMT

From Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws & Public Health

This webinar features insights from leaders across public health, policy, and advocacy who will offer a well-rounded conversation on the health, legislative, and economic dimensions of clean slate policy:

Dr. Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative , a national organization championing policies that expand second chances through record clearance.
Senator Adam Gomez , representing the Massachusetts State Senate and a key advocate for criminal justice reform and economic equity.
Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western MA , whose work centers health equity and community well-being.
Jay Ash, CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership , bringing a business perspective to the importance of second chances and economic inclusion.

Webinar Materials

coming soon!

Get involved: join Clean Slate MA

Celebrate Public Health

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:37:44 GMT

PHIWM staff attend Springfield's Annual Public Health Month kick-off

Each year, the City of Springfield Health and Human Services Department organizes a month-long, City-wide celebration of public health, extended from “National Public Health Week.” In addition to a panel, the kick-off event featured a poster session highlighting the contributions of 26 different local initiatives working across a broad range of public health topic areas. Check out some photos from the event below!

Rebecca Hunt pictured with a poster about the Springfield Youth Health Survey Initiative .

Beyonca Twiggs and Liv Anna Homstead stand next to a poster about 413Cares.org .

Sarita Hudson and Francheska Bermudez stand next to a poster about the Healthy Air Network .

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris stand at the podium.

From Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws and Public Health

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:29:03 GMT

Celebrate Second Chance Month and National Public Health Week with a free webinar!

April is Second Chance Month and April 7-13 is National Public Health Week, the perfect time to explore how “clean slate” laws promote health, economic stability, and racial equity. Criminal records create lasting barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare—key social determinants of health. A Clean Slate law, which automates record sealing as soon as someone is eligible, is a powerful tool for reducing inequities and strengthening communities. Join us for a 60-minute webinar where we’ll discuss:

How criminal offender record information (CORIs) impacts health and well-being;
Why so few eligible people have sealed records;
The status of clean slate legislation in Massachusetts;
Why more and more employers support clean slate laws; and
How you can take action to support these reforms.

CHIP Network To Host Two Free Advocacy Trainings in April

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:20:58 GMT

Hosted by the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Network, a project of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments

Both trainings will include presentations from our policy director, Andrea Freeman. Learn more and register.

Join Clean Slate MA

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:24:38 GMT

We invite you to join the Clean Slate MA coalition .

Dignity

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:12:01 GMT

Dignity Freedom Fighter

Charles Redd, RN is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Berkshire Health Systems. He also currently serves on our Board of Directors. Charles writes a weekly blog called " Dignity Freedom Fighter ", which we include as a resource in the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide . So many of us look forward to his weekly email about dignity. We asked him what motivates him to write it. Here's what he shared.

Dignity: Why I Write

I was asked recently to talk about why I right these dignity posts. I have been writing since July of 2020. When I started writing back then I was doing it for my teammates. I wanted them to know that their voices mattered. It was my commitment to them that I would be the leader that they needed and wanted. I hope that I was able to accomplish that.

As I began writing I never expected that I would be doing this almost five years later. In that time, I discovered something amazing things. My dignity posts were read at meetings. I had a coworker tell me that they read them with their family, and someone recently told me that it is something they look forward to every Friday. I did not expect this outcome. I was writing this for 25 people in the beginning and now I am not sure how many people my words are being share with. What I do know is that the desire to be treated with dignity is what all of us thrive for which is why I believe people want to read my post.

I have come to learn much about myself during these last five-years. Being vulnerable and sharing your most inner thoughts can be hard especially when you are share the dark sides of who you are. I believe that I have grown as a person since I started writing Dignity Freedom Fighter but more importantly, I have come to realize my inner desire to connect to the dignity of myself, to the dignity of others, and to something higher (Thank you Dr Donna Hicks PhD) is what is driving me every day to become a better person. It is also what drives me to write this post week after week.

I am blessed that so many of you find value in what I write. I never thought I would be able to put words to paper as I have struggled with reading and writing all my life. I have been blessed, and I am grateful for the gifts I have been given, and I am grateful to all of you who read my posts every Friday.

So, the question posed to me today is, why do I write this post week after week. I do it to honor dignity because dignity has the power to not only change your heart but to change the hearts of those around you.

“Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen. The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a person’s soul in their body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it.” Laura Hillenbrand author of the book Unbroken

Recording Posted, AGO Training About Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:09:27 GMT

Watch the recording from the recent training by the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell about the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). UPIL is a widespread problem in which dishonest individuals falsely disguise themselves as licensed attorneys and charge immigrants hundreds and thousands of dollars for immigration services, forms, or unlicensed legal advice. This training covered the difference between legal advice from an immigration attorney vs unlicensed legal advice, immigration attorney scams and how to detect them, what to do if you become a victim of an immigration lawyer scam, and resources for legal help. This training is facilitated to prevent immigrants and their families from becoming a victim of UPIL.

Resources

PDF copy of the UPIL presentation slides
AGO’s Immigration Resource page
This website provides a list of legal services providers in MA and has various options for finding appropriate providers by region, topic, etc.
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition website : you can request a virtual Know Your Rights training by filling out a form on their website.
413Cares Resources for Immigrants in Western MA

2024: Year-In-Review

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:48:45 GMT

New Report!

We are pleased to announce the release of our 2024 Annual Report. Download the report to learn more about our work and impact last year.

Mar 14- AGO Training about Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:40:15 GMT

Join us for a free training by the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

Join us for a free virtual training on Friday, March 14 at noon by the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell about the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). UPIL is a widespread problem in which dishonest individuals falsely disguise themselves as licensed attorneys and charge immigrants hundreds and thousands of dollars for immigration services, forms, or unlicensed legal advice.

This training will cover the difference between legal advice from an immigration attorney vs unlicensed legal advice, immigration attorney scams and how to detect them, what to do if you become a victim of an immigration lawyer scam, and resources for legal help. This training is facilitated to prevent immigrants and their families from becoming a victim of UPIL.

We are committed to providing interpretation, translation, and other accommodations to make our events as accessible as possible. Please submit requests by March 5, 2025 to KWaldner@PublicHealthWM.org or 413-794-2897. We will do our best to fulfill any requests we receive. Advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.

Comprometemos proporcionarle servicios de interpretación, traducción y otras adaptaciones para que nuestros eventos sean lo más accesibles posible. Envíe su solicitud antes del 5 de marzo a KWaldner@PublicHealthWM.org o llamando al 413-794-2897. Haremos todo lo posible para cumplir con cualquier solicitud que recibamos. El aviso previo nos ayudará a proporcionarle acceso sin interrupción.

Webinar Recording & Materials Are Now Available- Understanding MA's New Gun Safety Law

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:32:13 GMT

Watch our February 7, 2025 webinar recording about MA's new gun safety law. Hear from State Representative Carlos González, Springfield Police Department Deputy Chief Steven Kent, and Kathy Mague, PhD, Senior Vice President, Quality, Development, Communications & Social Justice, Behavioral Health Network.

Webinar Materials

Feb 7- Webinar about new gun law in MA

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:55:03 GMT

Free webinar: Understanding Massachusetts' New Gun Safety Law

Join us on February 7, 2025, at noon to learn about MA's new gun safety law. We will be joined by State Representative Carlos González, Springfield Police Department Deputy Chief Steven Kent, and Kathy Mague, PhD, Senior Vice President, Quality, Development, Communications & Social Justice, Behavioral Health Network.

Understanding How We Got Here

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:01:29 GMT

Jaymie R. Zapata is a Senior Planner - Public Health with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

"Though the challenges of achieving racial equity may seem daunting, the past has a lot to teach us about how the systems that define our daily lives came to be. The first step to dismantling systems is to understand them. As a systems-level public health planner, I think it is vital to always be reading and educating myself about the decisions my predecessors made in public health for good or ill, so I can center what is just and challenge what is not.

A book that was essential to my understanding of race and Black health in the United States was The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander , without which I do not think I would have been able to understand the continuation of Jim Crow laws into the present day nor their deep impact. At my agency we have established a racial equity reading library in our break room, stocked with many books from the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide . We hope people will take a minute over coffee to unplug, pick up a book, and gain some new insights while they are at it. There’s never a bad moment to learn something new!"

Recording, slides and links - Jan. 10 - Know Your Rights Webinar

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:27:38 GMT

The recording, slides and links from the "Know Your Rights: Information for Immigrant Community Members and Programs Who Serve Them” on Friday, January 10, 2025 are available below. Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of MIRA, MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition presented on immigrant rights and Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires and a PHIWM Board Member, presented on the Berkshire Alliance and Support for the Immigrant Community resources.

Webinar Materials

Know Your Rights Videorecording

Liz Sweet, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Coalition slides

Ilana Steinhauer, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires slide

Resources Mentioned in the Webinar

MIRA Coalition-Know Your Rights

Multilingual Infographic for Using Rights Card

Online Detainee Locator

Family Preparedness Packets

Immigration Legal Resources

Legal Services Directory in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder
Immigration court list of legal services
City of Boston free consultations
Legal Services Directory Outside of Massachusetts
Immigration Advocates Network Legal Directory

Reporting Fraud

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office: (617) 963-2917 or https://www.eform.ago.state.ma.us/ago_eforms/forms/piac_ecomplaint.action
The Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
The immigration court Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program (if you are already in immigration court): (703) 305-0470 or EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov

Berkshire Alliance and Support for the Immigrant Community

Join our Live Well Springfield team!

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:08:08 GMT

We are looking to hire a full-time Live Well Springfield manager. Learn more about the position and how to apply.

Jan. 10 - Know Your Rights Webinar

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:06:34 GMT

Join us for an informative webinar, "Know Your Rights: Information for Immigrant Community Members and Programs Who Serve Them” on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 pm. Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of MIRA, MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition will present on immigrant rights and Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires and a PHIWM Board Member, will offer reflections from western MA.

We can build new bridges to health

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 20:28:58 GMT

Keleigh Waldner is the Senior Manager of Communications and Research at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

She writes, "When someone asks me how to explain structural racism or social determinants of health, I often direct them to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 'Bridge to Health' model . The bridge metaphor illustrates structural racism in an accessible way. One bridge is built to safely carry people to their destination of good health, while the other is intentionally constructed with barriers.

I appreciate this metaphor because it highlights the human role in creating systems and practices that value some lives more than others. This isn’t a natural occurrence; it’s the result of intentional decisions over time. Given the rise in rhetoric suggesting that our genes are responsible for our intelligence or criminality, it feels important to emphasize this point. Inequality isn’t genetic, rather, it is deeply steeped into our policies, systems, and environments.

It is easy to become immobilized by injustice. At times it all feels like too much. The 'Bridge to Health' model offers some hope that we have the agency to replace these old bridges with new ones that enable everyone to thrive."

Youth Bring Data To Life, What Will They Do Next?

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:14:10 GMT

As the 2024-25 Springfield Youth Health Surveys conclude and the new Beat the Odds season begins, we celebrate the remarkable work of the Data-to-Action subgroup. Last year, youth delved into the complexities of data, explored the insights about gambling and mental health from the Springfield Youth Health Survey, and transformed their findings into stunning visual representations. By sharing their stories and insights, these young leaders are shaping a healthier future for Springfield. We can’t wait to see what they do this school year!

Check out photos below from their data walk in June 2024 or download slides .

Join Beat the Odds peer group mentoring program .

Webinar Recording Now Available: Social Media & Our Youth

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 14:37:10 GMT

The recording and slides are now available from our November 1st webinar, Social Media & Our Youth, featuring Dr. Jill Walsh, Sociology Professor at Boston University and Founder of Digital Aged, and Liza Hirsch, Director of the Children’s Justice Unit at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. National conversations around social media safety and mental health have intensified, with 42 state attorneys general calling for a Surgeon General warning label. In this webinar we covered the evolving landscape of social media and its influence on young people, potential benefits and risks, the role of parents and educators in promoting healthy usage, implications of the proposed Surgeon General warning, strategies for addressing social media-related challenges, as well efforts underway by the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

Speaker Bios

Jill Walsh is a Sociology professor at Boston University. She is also the founder of Digital Aged, a consulting group that educates students, families, and educational institutions about positive technology use. She earned a PhD in Sociology from Boston University, a Masters in Public Policy from Brown University and a B.A from Harvard University. Before going to graduate school, she taught 9th-12th grades at an independent school in the Boston area. Her research looks at the way that digital media use impacts psychosocial well-being and development. Her book Adolescents and their Social Media Narratives: A Digital Coming of Age was published in 2017 and she publishes academic research on youth development and emerging media. Her research interests include social media and identity work, parasocial relationships, and the links between technology and mental health.
Liza Hirsch is the Director of the Children’s Justice Unit at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office where she works to advance justice and equity for Massachusetts children and youth through civil investigations, litigation, policy, and community engagement. She is a member of the AGO team working to address the impacts of social media on youth mental health. Prior to joining the AGO, Liza was a Senior Attorney at Massachusetts Advocates for Children, where she provided representation to low-income families in special education and school discipline matters and directed a program on disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. She previously worked as a manager in the Holyoke Public Schools, and as a Skadden Fellow/Staff Attorney at Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and at Medical-Legal Partnership | Boston where she represented homeless and low-income families in housing and shelter matters. She is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law.

Webinar Materials

Alisa Ainbinder Presents at APHA's Annual Meeting

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:37:14 GMT

Senior evaluation manager Alisa Ainbinder joined staff from the National Network of Public Health Institutes at the American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting and Expo in Minneapolis to present Novel and Emerging Practice Evaluation Studies to Address COVID 19 Health Disparities .

Alisa's presentation highlighted the evaluation of the New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Health Equity and Community Engagement (BHECE) equitable procurement initiative. The BHECE implemented this initiative as part of their CDC grant to reduce COVID-19-related health disparities.

PHIWM developed a new tool, "Promising Practices in Equitable Procurement," to assess the BHECE's approach. This tool, based on peer-reviewed and grey literature, was used to compare BHECE's practices to a standard. Experts from various organizations, including public health institutes, state health departments, consulting organizations doing equitable procurement, and municipal agencies reviewed the tool.

From left: Alida Austin , Dr. Alisa Ainbinder , Dr. Robert LaChausse , Dr. Sabrina Selk

Connecting to the human story

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:30:01 GMT

Debbie DiStefano, PhD, is the Chief People and Equity Officer at Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc.

She writes, "I find that helping folks connect to the human story can guide an understanding of racism, what it is, how it developed, and how it is directly impacting the whole health of people of color. Being antiracist is essential to our mission. I turn to the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide for podcasts such as Code Switch, videos such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story, and Beverly Daniel Tatum’s Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? We also partner with organizations such as the Women of Color Health Equity Collective as a way to learn, confront, and grow."

Inside Our Doors

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:38:40 GMT

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting an open house. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our beautiful new space and honor our founding Executive Director, Dr. Frank Robinson. We’re so grateful for everyone who attended.

Social Media and Our Youth

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 16:59:34 GMT

Free webinar featuring Dr. Jill Walsh from Boston University and Liza Hirsch from the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

Join us for a webinar featuring Dr. Jill Walsh, a leading expert in the field from Boston University, and Liza Hirsch from the MA Office of Attorney General. National conversations around social media safety and mental health have intensified, with 42 state attorneys general calling for a Surgeon General warning label.

In this webinar, we will cover:

The evolving landscape of social media and its influence on young people;
The potential benefits and risks of social media use;
The role of parents and educators in promoting healthy social media habits;
The implications of the proposed Surgeon General warning label;
Strategies for addressing social medi a-related challenges.

There will be a Q&A following the presentation.

Download the flyer

Join our team!

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:01:02 GMT

We are looking to hire a full-time data and evaluation manager. Learn more about the position and how to apply.

What's In Your Toolbox?

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:10:03 GMT

Dr. Gregory Todd is the executive director of Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA).

He writes, " If you are a self-proclaimed agent of social change like me, you have on more than one occasion made plans to take over the world, wanted to transform your organization, or even aspired to mentor a staff member. Whenever I have had such maniacal thoughts, I have asked myself two important questions.

The first question is always: What tools do I have in my toolbox to accomplish these tasks? I then try to be specific regarding which tools I will need. Do I need more leadership skills? Am I transformative enough? How do I inspire others? If my passion is my WHY…my toolbox is my HOW. And, as passionate as I am about being transformative and impactful, I am honest enough with myself to know that the bravery, confidence, and deliberateness to engage can only be supported and justified by what I feel is in my toolbox.

The second and equally important question is: If I don’t have these tools where can I get them? One answer that I discovered is the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide . With a bevy of useful information ranging from informative articles to transformative podcasts and books, filling and refilling my professional toolbox has been something that I look forward to doing on a regular basis. And with a toolbox that is responsive to my environment, I feel more confident in my ability to be transformative in my community in a way that is uplifting and empowering."

Springfield Secures $20 Million From EPA For Climate Justice

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 17:59:40 GMT

City of Springfield selected by EPA to receive a nearly $20 million Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the City of Springfield and the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts a nearly $20 million Community Change Grant to advance environmental justice and climate resilience in Springfield (Green and Resilient Springfield Initiative).

Work under the grant will include a community solar project; retrofitting 30 one- to four-unit homes to reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality; complete home rehabilitation projects to remove lead and other pollution hazards; converting two city-owned buildings to non-grid clean energy sources and expanding their use as community resilience hubs and emergency shelter locations; expanding tree canopy by planting 1,500 trees; restarting a city e-bikeshare program; supporting a workforce development program for HVAC-R technicians; and more.

This initiative will be convened under the Live Well Springfield Coalition, bringing together partners such as the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Arise for Social Justice, and Way Finders, who collaborated with city staff on the grant application and will continue as part of the working group. Key partners include Revitalize CDC, ReGreen Springfield, and MassHire, along with neighborhood organizations New North Citizens Council and Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services. The project will also have an Advisory Board with representatives from ten community organizations, focusing on neighborhood councils or other neighborhood representatives in the Project Area, and ten Resident Advisors from the Project Area.

News Coverage:

Point32Health Foundation Awards PHIWM $400,000 for Intergeneration Social Connection

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:10:22 GMT

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts received a $400,000, three-year general operating grant from Point32Health Foundation . The funds support the organization as it assesses and implements strategies for intergenerational social connection and improved mental health in partnership with the Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly Initiative, the Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Massachusetts, and the Youth Mental Health Coalition.

This grant is one of 31 new investments totaling nearly $3 million from Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Point32Health and its family of companies, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Care Partners of Connecticut. The grants support community-led solutions to advance healthier communities and equity in aging in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

News Coverage:

SENATOR LESSER ISSUES STATEMENT URGING GOV. BAKER TO OFFER FREE TESTING WEST OF I-495

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 01:59:00 GMT

Senator Lesser issued a statement on Wednesday July 10th, 2020 urging Governor Baker to offer free testing west of 1-495. This statement was in reaction to Governor Bakers' announcement on July 8th about offering free COVID-19 testing in eight communities, none of which are in the western half of the state.

Read the full statement .

We Are Moving!

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:46:00 GMT

We're excited to announce that we're moving our office. While we will miss our daily serenades at the Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS), we’re looking forward to our new location. As of August 1, our new address will be 1350 Main Street, Suite 1006, Springfield, MA 01103. Thank you to CMSS for being such a wonderful home for us for so many years. Stay tuned for more updates!

Action Alert! Milestones Reached for Eviction Record Sealing! AND, One More Push…

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:53:29 GMT

Good news! Last month we asked for your help to get eviction record sealing language ( HOMES Act ) into the Senate’s housing bond bill. Thanks in part to the many of you who contacted the Senate Chair of the Housing Committee, it worked! Now, there is one more big step to get the language on Governor Healey’s desk: We need the six-person “conference committee” to include the Senate’s language in the final bill, because it is not in the House’s version. The role for the conference committee is to reconcile the differences in the House’s and Senate’s versions into one bill that is mutually agreeable. Naturally, some compromises will be made, but we need the eviction record sealing language to remain. You can help by emailing the Conference Committee for the Affordable Homes Act to request just that. And, in the same email, you can also urge them to include language to create the MA Healthy Homes Program with $50 million in bond authorization over five years.

There are additional conference committees meeting to reconcile other bills before formal sessions must end on July 31. If a bill does not pass this month, there is essentially no hope for them until the legislature starts a brand-new two-year legislative in January 2025. In the next several days, PHIWM will be doing what it can to help pass our priority bills including:

The $58 billion FY25 budget, which contains level funding for 413Cares.org and Public Health Excellence grants ; additional funding for the Cliff Effect Pilot program and regional transit authorities ; and new funding for a pilot Access to Counsel program for low-income tenants facing eviction.
The nearly $3 billion economic development bond bill , which among many other things, contains the Statewide Accelerated Public Health Act (SAPHE 2.0) to create a public health system that provides ALL Massachusetts residents with high-quality public health protections, regardless of race, income, or zip code.

What They Didn't Teach Me In College

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 16:55:32 GMT

Andrea Freeman is the Policy Director at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

She writes, "I learn best by listening and watching, so I turn to the Resource Guide’s curated list of podcasts and videos. Each one leads me to others that help me better understand things I didn't learn at a liberal arts college in the early 1990s. My new favorite podcast is Inheriting , which blends sweeping history lessons with in-depth looks at how laws, wars, court decisions, natural disasters, etc. impact Asian American and Pacific Islander families through the generations. Hearing these stories helps me better understand a wide variety of cultures and just how unique everyone’s family histories and memories are."

Visit the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide for more podcasts, videos, and other resources!

Free Air Purifier Workshop

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 22:57:08 GMT

Join the Healthy Air Network on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mason Square Library (756 State Street, Springfield, MA 0109) for a FREE community workshop. Attendees will learn how to:

Build your own air cleaner/purifier using a box fan (If you can, bring your own box fan)

Take action to take during times of poor air quality, extreme temperatures, and severe weather events

Navigate healthyairnetwork.org to check the air quality in your neighborhood

Get a tree planted at your residence

Light refreshments will be provided! Walk-ins are welcomed.

Celebrate Youth Mental Wellness with Art, Data & Fun

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:52:23 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, MA — Join us for a FREE celebration of youth mental wellness on Friday, June 21st, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. This youth-led event, hosted by Beat the Odds (BTO) youth advisory group to the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), is designed to raise awareness about mental health, problem gambling and self-care strategies; celebrate the healthy ways our young people manage their mental well-being; and connect youth and the community to valuable mental health resources.

Several organizations will be tabling, including Gandara’s Impact Center and the Stop Access Coalition. Youth from Queen’s Narrative and Gandara’s photoVOICE project will share artwork and Beat the Odds youth will showcase creative data visualizations of the Springfield Public School District 2023 Youth Health Survey.

“Art is a great outlet to express youth mental wellness and to understand public health issues that may be otherwise hard to digest,” said Tiffany Rufino, Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. “We hope this event encourages our young people to make healthy choices by providing resources and information in a fun, interactive way.”

Schedule

5:00 PM - Registration
5:30 PM - Data Walk: Explore data visualizations of the 2023 Springfield Youth Health Survey created by BTO youth
6:15 PM - Dinner
6:30 PM - Presentations & Performance (Will include representatives from the Mayor's Office & MA DPH Office of Problem Gambling Services, original song performed by BTO member, and awards).
7:30 PM - Celebration Activities (unstructured time for games, music, and fun)
8:00 PM - Closing Remarks

We hope to see you there! Register now!

"...It's hard work and requires leaning into discomfort and ongoing self-reflection..."

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:31:38 GMT

Kathleen Szegda is the Sr. Director of Community Research and Evaluation at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

She writes, "Health equity and anti-racism work are core values in our work. The resource guide provides a lot of great information about how to engage in this work. It’s hard work and requires leaning into discomfort and ongoing self-reflection about how we show up, biases we bring to the table, and how we intentionally counter those biases and the dominant narratives that are pervasive in our society that contribute to inequity.

I’ve used a number of the resources in the resource guide, including the “ Levels of Racism ,” the many Robert Wood Johnson Foundation resources on health equity and how racism impacts health, articles by David Williams on the impacts of racism on health, and the “ White Dominant and Something Different” tool .

These resources have shaped my understanding of how our country’s history of enslavement of Black people and subsequent and present-day racist systems and structures continue to drive health inequities today, how systems and structures create and perpetuate health inequities among the many other groups of people of color in our society, and what I can do to address racism. These resources have shaped the reports we have created and how we approach our work.”

Visit the Race and Health Equity Guide to see these resources and more, and learn how other people in the region are working to advance race and health equity .

Francheska Bermudez presented at the MA Asthma Action Partnership Summit

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 22:53:03 GMT

Francheska Bermudez led a workshop at the Massachusetts Asthma Action Partnership (MAAP) Summit on June 4, 2024, about building your own air cleaner/purifier with inexpensive household materials to increase indoor air quality. She was joined by Healthy Air Network partners from the Yale School of Public Health, as well as MAAP.

Pictured L-R: Brielle Ruth (Healthy Air resident advisor), Sarita Hudson (Healthy Air coalition director), Francheska Bermudez (Healthy Air project coordinator), Gri Saex (Healthy Air resident advisor), Aline Maybank and Jun Jiang (Yale School of Public Health intern).

Adolescent Mental Health Doesn't Take a Vacation

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:48:35 GMT

We are pleased to partner with MiraVista Behavioral Health Center on a public awareness campaign about youth mental health.

In speaking about the partnership, PHIWM executive director Jessica Collins said, "It is important to blend community prevention and clinical support by partnering with MiraVista Behavioral Health Center on this crucial campaign. Adolescence is a critical time for mental health development, and ensuring young people have access to support during the summer months is particularly important.”

Learn more about this campaign!

This campaign is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of any specific services.

Kathleen Szegda and Tiffany Rufino to be panelists at upcoming BIRCh conference about advancing behavioral health

Wed, 29 May 2024 13:58:14 GMT

Join the BIRCh Project on May 31, 2024 from 8:30-4pm at Hotel Northampton (36 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060) for a conference called, "Shared Solutions and Partnerships: Advancing School Behavioral Health in Western Massachusetts".

The event will focus on key strategic planning for school mental health; partnership and coalition building across school districts and community agencies; and how to take action, collaborate, identify a variety of resources.

Kathleen Szegda and Tiffany Rufino will be panelists at the event.

Youth Gambling Awareness Event Postponed

Sat, 18 May 2024 14:38:00 GMT

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition and Beat the Odds youth group have postponed their May 18th event.

Tiffany Rufino, Samantha Hamilton, Eli Crespo, and Maddie Press to present at 2024 Problem Gambling Conference on May 17

Fri, 17 May 2024 14:53:00 GMT

PHIWM staff Tiffany Rufino , Samantha Hamilton , Eli Crespo , and Maddie Press will present about the Youth Mental Health Coalition and Beat the Odds at the 2024 Massachusetts Problem Gambling Conference on May 17, 2024. This year's theme is "Equity in Action: Working Together to Mitigate Harms Across the Commonwealth."

Registration for the event is now full.

Finding Consultants to Advance JEDIB Work

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:38:00 GMT

Geoff Naunheim is the executive director of the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region. He also serves on the PHIWM Board of Directors.

Geoff shares, "A few months ago, we were looking to bring in a consultant to advance our Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives. The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide helped us connect with a qualified pool of consultants to consider for our RFP."

There are many organizations in Western Massachusetts and beyond that can help you and your organization. Check out the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide for a listing of organizations .

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Receives Federal Earmark to Expand the Healthy Air Network

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 19:07:00 GMT

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts has received a $370,000 federal earmark to expand the Healthy Air Network, thanks to the leadership of US Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren. The Healthy Air Network is a collaboration of municipalities, public health organizations, community-based organizations, and environmental groups in Western Massachusetts. Together, they collect and provide real-time hyperlocal air quality information through their website, HealthyAirNetwork.org .

“Thanks to this funding, we can provide residents with the tools they requested to better protect their health and advocate for cleaner air, which is especially important in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) secured the funding through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the FY24 funding package.

“Community and civic leaders in the Pioneer Valley are dedicated to making the state a healthier, cleaner, safer, and more just place to live,” said Senator Markey. “I am proud, with my Congressional delegation partners, to bring important investments directly to local communities and initiatives to further their goals.”

“Everyone, regardless of where they live, is entitled to clean air,” said Senator Warren. “This federal funding will go a long way towards ensuring residents of Western Massachusetts have the tools they need to maintain healthy communities and protect their well-being.”

The new funding will allow the network to:

Develop a mobile app and upgrade the website: A community-driven design process will ensure the app is user-friendly and presents data in a way that is useful and actionable to residents.

Expand the air sensor network: Ten sensors will be added in five communities, primarily in Western MA, to provide a more detailed picture of air quality variations.

With this new infrastructure, residents can avoid outdoor time on high-risk air quality days, potentially reducing health problems like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease. Often, low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by air pollution due to historical factors like redlining, which has made these communities more likely to be located near highways, industrial sites, and other sources of pollution.

“Many of us take breathing for granted,” said Gri Saex, a resident of Springfield. “This app will provide us with a reminder of how important it is to breathe, and most importantly to breathe healthy air. We would have on-the-spot information about the air quality on the move enabling us to avoid unnecessary exposure to unhealthy air.”

This project is supported by a variety of municipalities, community organizations, and environmental groups, including the City of Springfield, the City of Holyoke, Live Well Springfield, Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, Hitchcock Center for the Environment, ReGreen Springfield, Westfield Residents Advocating For Themselves (WRAFT), the Earthwatch Institute, the Yale School of Public Health, Health Resources in Action/MA Asthma Action Partnership, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, and an Advisory Board of eight Resident Advisors from Holyoke, Springfield, and Westfield.

Webinar Recordings Posted!

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:13:00 GMT

Watch recordings from our "We Are All Public Health" webinar series:

Using 413Cares to Strengthen the Local Safety Net

Overview of Youth Mental Health

The State of Gender Equity in Western MA: New Findings & Local Action

Advancing Climate Justice and Health Equity

Kathleen Szegda and Victoria Hill to present at MA DPH Webinar about Community Health Equity Initiative

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:32:00 GMT

Join the MA Department of Public Health on April 24, 2024 for a webinar to learn more about the Community Health Equity Initiative data and what TA is available. PHIWM staff will be joining as one of the CHEI Regional Data & Action Support Providers.

In this webinar, you will:

Learn about the purpose and methods of the 2023 Community Health Equity Survey

Understand how to use a racial justice frame when viewing and interpreting CHES and other data

Understand what technical assistance and capacity building resources are available to assist you in using CHES and other data for action

Meet the CHES Regional Data & Action Support Providers who can provide customized data analyses and 1:1 support

"Health equity cannot be achieved without sharing power..."

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:49:00 GMT

Liv Anna Homstead is the Coalition Building Manager at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

"Collectively with my colleagues, our coalition work addresses issues such as climate justice, incarceration, housing, youth mental health, and access and connection to critical resources. All of these issues are connected to the historical, institutional, and systemic layers of racism and oppression that have shaped our communities. This makes our work complex, requiring relationship building, cultural humility, and a passion for continuous learning – a journey that started for me over a decade ago when I participated in an Undoing Racism workshop .

The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide provides a wealth of resources to support the work. Tools like Countering the Production of Health Inequities , How History Has Shaped Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities , frameworks by the Interaction Institute for Social Change , and Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity , have helped me to deepen my understanding, collaborate with diverse communities, and together build shared visions and objectives.

Health equity cannot be achieved without sharing power with the most impacted individuals and communities. At the heart, our coalition work strives to create safe, accessible, and empowering spaces for community members to lead the change for a more equitable future."

Find more resources in the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide .

Samantha Hamilton to be panelist at 2024 Fair Housing & Civil Rights Conference

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:06:00 GMT

Samantha Hamilton will be on a panel about environmental justice at the 2024 Fair Housing & Civil Rights Conference. Other panelists to include: John Fisher, Fair Housing Manager, Way Finders; Rusty Polsgrove, Environmental Justice Organizer, Arise Springfield; and Doug Quattrochi, Executive Director, Massachusetts Landlords.

Panel Description: Put most simply, environmental justice means that all people have the right to be free from environmental pollution in all of its forms and have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. As a movement, it can be local in nature, focusing on a particular building or neighborhood, or it can draw together much large numbers of people in response to the wider environmental effects of factors such as climate change, racism, income, and other forms of discrimination. The panel will discuss what environmental justice can mean, both locally and regionally, and suggest some strategies by which it might be furthered.

The 2024 Fair Housing & Civil Rights Conference is sold out!

We Are All Public Health: Public Health Month Event Series

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:00 GMT

National Public Health Week is the first week of April. One week just isn't enough to celebrate public health, so we've joined the City of Springfield Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating all month long! Public health is so much more than access to health care. It's about creating healthy communities where everyone can thrive! This means having strong support systems, access to mental health resources for youth, promoting gender equity, addressing climate change's impact on health, and fostering healthy relationships. Join us for an event series to explore these topics and see how we can all work together for a healthier Western Massachusetts!

(Webinar) Using 413Cares to Strengthen the Local Safety Net, April 11, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm: Learn about the 413Cares online resource database and how local organizations are using 413Cares to build relationships with other organizations and the community to ensure they are getting connected to services. Speakers will include Liv Anna Homstead & Francheska Bermudez (Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts), Alan Dallman & Johanna Farrell (Food Bank of Western MA), Jodi Smith (Way Finders), and Jasarah Burgos (New North Citizens Council).

(Webinar) Overview of Youth Mental Health, April 11, 2024, from 5:30-7:00 pm : In this training facilitated by the Behavioral Health Network, participants will learn how to identify and support mental health needs for children and youth. It will cover common mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. It is appropriate for both adults and youth in high school. This webinar is sponsored by the Youth Mental Health Coalition (convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts).

(Webinar) The State of Gender Equity in Western MA: New Findings & Local Action, April 23, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 pm: This webinar will share the latest findings from a recent report on gender equity in Western Massachusetts. In collaboration, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) gathered extensive data, including listening to local communities, to create a report rich with information and insights. Come learn how women, girls, transgender, and gender-diverse residents are doing in our region. Hear about the WFWM's strategies to advance gender equity and what you can do to make a difference.

(Webinar) Advancing Climate Justice and Health Equity, April 25, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm:

This webinar will showcase two coalition efforts led by the Public Health Institute of Western Mass to bring together community residents and partner organizations to advance climate justice and health equity. Live Well Springfield Climate Change Health & Equity Initiative: Samantha Hamilton, Director of Community Engagement and Coalition Building, will share Live Well’s journey to successfully advocate for Community Choice Energy in Springfield. Healthy Air Network: Francheska Bermudez, Healthy Air Project Coordinator, and Dr. Krystal Pollitt, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health will share about the Healthy Air Network, a network of hyperlocal air sensors measuring air quality at the neighborhood level.

(In-Person training for Teens) Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationship, April 25, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services located at 3 Rutland Street, Springfield, MA, 01109: This training, facilitated by Tools for Success Counseling, teaches youth what to look out for in healthy vs unhealthy relationships and friendships. It seeks to inform young people of just how common domestic violence is in our community and help make all individuals more trauma-informed. For youth in grades 6-12. This event is sponsored by the Youth Mental Health Coalition (convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts).

(In Person) Intergenerational Trauma / Ask a Therapist, April 29, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 pm at New North Citizens' Council located at 4 Birnie Avenue, Springfield, MA 01107: In this training facilitated by the Behavioral Health Network, attendees will learn evidence about how many current mental health issues and needs can reside in the traumas of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents and how we can build off the work of experts in neuroscience and posttraumatic stress. This event is sponsored by the Youth Mental Health Coalition (convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts).

Shared Language

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Francheska Bermudez is the 413Cares Program Manager at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

"When it comes to advancing racial justice, shared language is so important not just as the initial starting place for understanding, but as a constant, grounding guide to continue educating ourselves and others of why the work we do matters. So many of the problems we try to tackle in our region boil down to the different "isms" that have historically affected people like me, and I would like to be seated at tables where these conversations have not been had enough, like in Hispanic households. It is why I have "Our Shared Language: Social Justice Glossary" by YWCA bookmarked."

Visit the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide for more resources!

Alisa Ainbinder and Maddie Press to present at COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant Reverse Site Visit

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:47:00 GMT

Alisa Ainbinder and Maddie Press will facilitate a skill-building workshop at the COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant Reverse Site Visit at the end of this month. Their workshop is called, Implementing Equitable Procurement Practices: An Innovative Way for State Health Agencies to Engage Community Partners.

The COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant Reverse Site Visit brings together grant recipients who are a part of the National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities to share experiences and learn new skills to support their work across the four key strategy areas. OT21-2103 grant recipients and their partners will have the opportunity to lead and participate in peer-sharing sessions that highlight lessons learned, successes and challenges, and innovations in adapting and implementing evidence-informed practices. The convening will also feature skill-building workshops where grant recipients take part in interactive learning and small group discussions focused on practical applications of tools and resources. Learn more.

Liv Anna Homstead and Francheska Bermudez to present about 413Cares.org at upcoming conference

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:13:00 GMT

Liv Anna Homstead and Francheska Bermudez will be presenting about 413Cares.org at an upcoming conference at Springfield College called, Fostering Equity and Inclusion for Latinas/os in Child and Family Welfare.

They will be joined by staff from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Way Finders, New North Citizens Council, Square One, and the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative.

Their workshop, Using Technology to Strengthen Local Safety Net, will include an overview of the 413Cares platform and ways service providers are using it to get people connected to critical services.

New Report! 2023: Year-In-Review

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:18:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the release of our 2023 Annual Report. Download the report to learn more about our work and achievements in 2023.

Lead Risk From Old Telephone Cables

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:47:00 GMT

On February 5, 2024, Sarita Hudson joined U.S. Senator Ed Markey for a demonstration of lead soil testing in Chicopee and a roundtable discussion. Before the 1960s, telephone cables were sheathed in lead. Over time, weather and friction cause the lead to fall off and contaminate the ground. These gray overhead cables are ubiquitous across the country. Markey is calling for a comprehensive study and remedial action.

Media Coverage:

MassLive, U.S. Sen. Markey, in Chicopee, explores lead risk from old telephone cable

Markey.senate.gov, Senator Markey Hosts Roundtable in Western Massachusetts on Threat of Lead Contamination From Degrading Telecommunications Cables, Find Unsafe Levels of Lead After Testing Cables Today in Chicopee

Designing the Community-Academic Research Dissemination Process to Foster Equity

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:33:00 GMT

When community-academic research is designed through an equity and justice lens and is mutually beneficial, it has the power to both support the community and advance scientific knowledge. Dissemination is a key component that must be considered when moving research to action, both in the communities who give their time and in the scientific community.

The webinar hosted by UMass Chan Medical School - Center for Clinical and Translational Science focused on dissemination strategies for community-academic research partnerships through an equity lens. Presenters discussed the process of community and academic partners working together with an action-oriented dissemination approach that centers collaborative voice and co-design.

Kathleen Szegda , Senior Director of Community Research and Evaluation, and Samantha Hamilton , Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement, spoke about the R.O.A.D.S. Study , including how they shared preliminary findings with City staff to address issues with the built environment.

View slides

Just what is this Housing Bond Bill?

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:54:00 GMT

Massachusetts is in a housing crisis. The reasons for soaring rents and housing prices will vary depending on who you ask, but the fact is, there are simply not enough “housing units” for everyone who wants to live in the Commonwealth. Additionally, too many homes are unhealthy to live in due to lead paint, mold, asbestos, and pests. Given these challenges, it is especially important for you to know about and speak up for the Housing Bond Bill, which is a massive piece of state legislation that generally comes up every five years.

Officially, this “omnibus” bill is called the Affordable Housing Act ( H.4138 ), and the Massachusetts Legislature is beginning to focus on it this month, with a hearing held by the Joint Committee on Housing . This bond bill is incredibly important for affordable, healthy housing because it could authorize upwards of $4.12 billion in capital spending to improve, decarbonize, and expand state-owned public housing and also capitalize a variety of housing development and rehabilitation funds and loan programs. Additionally, Governor Healey proposes several policy changes in this housing bond bill that would: encourage housing production; advance fair housing and tenant protections; and provide new “tools” so cities and towns can do more locally to address the housing crisis.

Get Involved

If the Affordable Housing Act (aka the Housing Bond Bill) sounds like a good idea to you, here’s how you can get involved:

Learn more about the many components of the legislation.

2-page fact sheet 4 detailed briefs 126-page bill

Review what local legislators and organizations are saying.

16 Western MA Legislators Western MA Housing Coalition

Contact the Joint Committee on Housing

This month, email Housing Committee Co-Chairs Senator Lydia Edwards and Representative James Arciero and cc your State Rep and Senator. Tell them which parts of the Affordable Housing Act are important to you and what you think should be added. In coming months there will be additional opportunities to advocate for this legislation, but now is a key time to speak up. Contact information for: MA Representatives MA Senators Who is my State Rep and Senator?

Connect with the Western MA Network to End Homelessness

Thanks for being an advocate! Questions? Contact PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman

Legislative Earmark Helps Expand 413Cares Through Regional Partnerships

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 20:27:00 GMT

413Cares.org is thrilled to receive funding from the state to continue its efforts to connect residents to critical services across the four counties of Western MA. This year we are expanding our work with four new regional partnerships- Hilltown Community Health Center , Berkshire Regional Planning Commission , Community Action Pioneer Valley, and Quaboag Hills Community Coalition . Together we will bring 413Cares further into Franklin and Berkshire counties and the Hilltown and Quaboag regions. Thank you to Representative Michael Finn and Senator Adam Gomez who helped secure this funding. Thank you to everyone else who came out to celebrate, including Representative Carlos Gonzalez, a staff member from Senator Velis’ office, and many other partners.

L-R: PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman; PHIWM Project Coordinator Beyonca Twiggs; Kim Savery, Director, Community Programs and Family Support Services with the Hilltown Community Health Center; Frank Robinson, Vice President of Community Relations and Public Health at Baystate Health; Representative Michael Finn; Sarita Hudson, PHIWM Senior Director of Strategy and Development; Senator Adam Gomez; Jaymie Zapata, Senior Planner with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission; PHIWM Executive Director Jessica Collins; Ana Jaramillo, Program Supervisor, Holyoke Health Center; PHIWM Board Member Luz Lopez; Liv Anna Homstead, PHIWM Coalition Building Manager; Representative Carlos Gonzalez; Kevin Chambers, Aide to Senator John Velis; and Debra DiStefano, Chief People & Equity Officer for the Hilltown Community Health Center

Webinar: What can Western MA Do To Promote Youth Mental Health

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:14:00 GMT

Watch the recording from the December 6, 2023 webinar, What Can Western Massachusetts Do To Promote Youth Mental Health? Learn about three bills, currently before the MA Legislature, that could support youth mental health: An Act establishing a child and adolescent behavioral health implementation coordinating council ( H.1979 ); An Act relative to MassHealth reimbursement to schools ( S.794 ); and An Act relative to mental health education ( H.497 / S.240 ). These bills are included in the policy recommendations of the Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western MA .

Guest Speakers:

Courtney Chelo , Assistant Director of Government Relations with the MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) and Coordinator of the Children’s Mental Health Campaign.
MA State Senator John Velis , Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery

2023 Springfield youth health survey data now available!

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:30:00 GMT

Every other year, PHIWM coordinates the implementation of two youth health surveys for students enrolled in Springfield Public Schools. The Springfield Youth Health Survey (YHS) is administered to 8th grade students, and the Springfield Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is administered to 10th and 12th grade students. The YHS and YRBS questionnaires are modified versions of those used in the statewide survey initiative.

2023 district-level data are now available!

The Springfield Youth Health Survey Initiative planning team is working on other ways to disseminate the data to schools, youth, parents/caregivers, and the community at large. More to come...

Learn more about the initiative .

Building the Capacity of Boards

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 23:53:00 GMT

Jennifer Lee-Rambharose is a research associate for the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy and project coordinator for the Community Living Equity Center at Brandeis. She is a resident of Springfield and a proud woman with a disability. She serves as the President of PHIWM’s Board of Directors.

"In order to build community capacity to address social determinants of health, agencies within the community must have a commitment to strengthening the capacity of their Board of Directors. I joined PHIWM board over 4years ago given the agency’s commitment to addressing race and health equity within all phases of the organization. Within the Board, the Race and Health Equity Committee leads initiatives to support the agency in continuing to become an anti-racist organization and brings a race and health equity lens to every board meeting while fostering understanding of issues through shared discussion and relationship building. A few years ago, the agency supported the board’s interest in developing a resource guide. It now has blossomed into a repository of resources to strengthen understanding of race and health equity. The Board and Staff Matrix can be a helpful tool to evaluate existing board composition to support an agency in assessing if their board is reflective of their service population. Creating space to develop shared language and understanding of terms has allowed the PHIWM board to share many conversations about race and health equity and the implications of inequity. These conversations help us to support PHIWM in serving community and diverse stakeholders. The Race and Health Equity Glossary can move conversations amongst your board, program, or agency. I have had the privilege to lead boards and coalitions, and these resources are now a part of my toolkit! I believe these tools can support boards, programs, and initiatives of all sizes to grow capacity and strengthen leadership to better support organizations to build healthier communities."

The Hitchcock Center Receives Funding from the EPA; Collaboration with PHIWM and other partners

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:18:00 GMT

The Hitchcock Center for the Environment has been selected to receive $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for expanding and deepening community-based air pollution monitoring, training and education in the Connecticut River Valley region by adding rural communities to the urban partners already engaged in the Healthy Air Network , incorporating extreme heat as a related climate risk, and supporting youth engagement and action...

Read the full press release

Media coverage

Daily Hampshire Gazette, EPA grants to enhance air pollution monitoring in region, 11/10/23

Lisa Ranghelli to present at Nov13 event, Status of Women and Girls in Western MA: Insights on Achieving Gender and Racial Equity in Our Communities

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 14:58:00 GMT

On Monday, November 13th the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will host the Women’s Fund of Western MA at the Ludlow Country Club. The public is invited to hear key findings from their latest research report on Gender Equity in Western Massachusetts: The Status of Women, Girls, Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Adults and Youth , from Amihan Jennifer Matias, Sr. Director of Community Partnerships, and Sarah Monson, Senior Director of Philanthropy. Joining them will be Lisa Ranghelli from the Public Health Institute of Western MA, a lead researcher of the Gender Equity Report.

The extensive data synthesized in this report shed light on strengths, progress, and areas of continued or emerging gender inequities in the four counties and provide actionable insights for advancing gender-equitable policies and practices. Individuals involved with inclusion and equity from community-based organizations, for-profit and not-for-profit companies, schools, higher educational institutions, and more will benefit from this conversation.

Please join us at the Ludlow Country Club in Ludlow MA on Monday, November 13, 2023. 5:30 – 6 Socialize, 6 pm Buffet Dinner, followed by the Program. There will be time for Q&A and maybe some brainstorming on how to move forward. Buffet dinner for $28 is payable by cash, check, or credit card the night of the event, but we require an RSVP to info@ZontaQV.org by 11/8 for the caterers—details at www.ZontaQV.org/special-event .

Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western MA- Forum & Report

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:48:00 GMT

With a focus on youth, this Nov 1 MA Health Policy Forum provided a roadmap to help facilitate prevention, support social-emotional learning, foster connection, and inform policy change for Western Massachusetts. A presentation of the latest research from the region and an action plan were followed by a stakeholder panel discussion.

Check out coverage of the event:

WWLP-22News, UMass forum on mental health crisis in western Massachusetts , 11/1/23
MA Health Policy Forum, Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Massachusetts
Massachusetts Daily Collegian, UMass hosts event on youth mental health in western Massachusetts , 11/7/23

Clean Slate Initiative Aims to Modernize CORI System

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 16:11:00 GMT

Earlier this week PHIWM joined over 50 advocates from across the state for a Clean Slate Strategic Planning & Action Summit. This day-long meeting was laser-focused on crafting a strategy and divvying up work to pass state legislation that would modernize Massachusetts’ Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) system. People who have been involved with the criminal legal system in Massachusetts fac e significant barriers when it comes to sealing their CORIs even when they are eligible. People with unsealed CORI’s are affected negatively when trying to access jobs, housing, education, training, and other opportunities essential to their overall well-being and successful reentry into their communities. The Clean Slate Initiative estimates that this legislation would benefit and improve the lives of at least 462,000 people in the Commonwealth by automatically sealing CORIs as soon as they are eligible. Currently, only 4% of people eligible have been able to navigate the complex petition-based sealing process—one that often requires the help of an attorney.

We are an active member of the statewide Clean Slate Massachusetts coalition. If you would like to get involved in Clean Slate Western MA, please contact PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman.

PHIWM’s focus on this legislation builds on the health impact assessment we conducted in 2021 with the help of Live Well Springfield and many community partners. We are grateful to the Point32 Health Foundation for their financial support of this work.

The Summit was sponsored by Clean Slate Massachusetts, the Clean Slate Initiative, and Roxbury Community College’s Criminal Justice Program. Participants from Western MA were PHIWM’s Project Coordinator Jacqueline Velez and Andrea Freeman; Men of Color Health Awareness’ (MOCHA) Lead Facilitator Brother Al Hubert, and Live Well Springfield Resident Advisor Sonia Mendez.

MOCHA’s Brother Al summarizes plans that the Organizing Committee of Clean Slate Massachusetts discussed at the Summit.

Evaluation Findings Shared at Recent Conference

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:14:00 GMT

We are thrilled to highlight the work of Senior Evaluation Manager Alisa Ainbinder , who recently co-authored a poster and paper with Theresa Riethle, Marie Meckel, and Dawn Gurski from the Bay Path University's Physician Assistant (PA) Program. Their research aimed to dispel common misconceptions about careers in primary care and encourage PA graduates to consider this vital field. The study found that through a curriculum intervention, misconceptions were successfully addressed.

This work was presented last week at the Physician Assistant Education Association Conference and is funded through a HRSA grant aimed at increasing the number of PAs pursuing careers as primary care providers in a Medically Underserved Community.

New Report! Gender Equity in Western Massachusetts

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:52:00 GMT

This report is the third commissioned by the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts ,
following the status reports completed in 2013 and 2019. Its purpose is to:

Shed light on strengths, progress, and areas of continued or emerging gender inequity in our four-county region of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.
Inform the foundation’s strategic planning and grantmaking for the next several years.
Provide actionable data and insights for our current partners, and to motivate others to pursue gender and racial equity.
Support collective advocacy by using findings to engage stakeholders, community-based organizations, for-profit companies, other funders, government, higher education, and other agencies in advancing gender-equitable policies and practices.

New Report! Youth Mental Health in Western MA

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:46:00 GMT

We are in the midst of a national mental health crisis. Youth in our region are struggling with their mental health, and the pandemic made it worse.

This new report summarizes findings from the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment for the Coalition of Western Massachusetts Hospitals/Insurer. It combines existing survey data and information from interviews with mental health providers and youth development professionals.

There are many great things happening in parts of our region to support young people. Together, let's expand these efforts.

Samantha Hamilton spoke about equity in the transition to solar energy at a recent forum

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:39:00 GMT

The Western Massachusetts Solar Forum was a free, virtual community event held in September 2023. UMass Clean Energy Extension collaborated with members of the Western Massachusetts state delegation (State Senator Jo Comerford and State Representative Mindy Domb), as well as a planning committee of solar photovoltaic stakeholders and experts to plan the event.

Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement Samantha Hamilton presented during Session 3 of the forum.

"...there is no safe or high quality care without health equity.”

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Doug Salvador, MD, MPH is Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer at Baystate Health, and Chief Medical Officer at Baystate Medical Center. He also serves on PHIWM's Board of Directors.

"As a leader responsible for the safety and quality of care delivered at Baystate Health, my background is in medicine, healthcare delivery, safety science, and process improvement methods. It is only relatively recently that healthcare became aware of the reality that there is no safe or high quality care without health equity. We want to change so many things right away and there is so much for us to learn. We are now reporting on health outcomes by race, ethnicity, disability, and other factors at our local level and don’t always know what to do when we see disparities. The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide has helped me quickly find evidence-based and high quality content to catch up as we do this work. Local data such as the PHIWM Springfield Health Equity Report helps others understand the magnitude and reality of the problem right here. Articles like ' Countering the Production of Health Inequities: A Framework for Emerging Systems to Achieve an Equitable Culture of Health ' help us understand how health inequities have been produced and what action steps are necessary and feasible to break down the structural racism and bias to reverse them. I encourage everyone interested in learning and making a difference in health equity to peruse the resource guide. I know you will find valuable information that will help you achieve your goals."

Visit the Race and Health Equity Guide to see resources and learn how other people in the region are working to advance race and health equity .

Advocating for Health Equity and Green & Healthy Schools

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:52:00 GMT

This week PHIWM staff provided oral testimony in support of two policies that will improve public health in our region.

Executive Director Jessica Collins spoke to the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance about the need to pass An Act to Advance Health Equity (H.1250/S.799). Among other things, this legislation would create an Executive Office of Equity reporting to the governor and would also standardize health equity data collection and reporting. Springfield Representative Bud Williams is one of the lead sponsors of this bill. More information | Jessica’s testimony

Speaking on behalf of the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition and PHIWM, Senior Director of Strategy & Development Sarita Hudson spoke to the Joint Committee on Education in support of the “Green & Healthy Schools bill” (H.469/S.242).” This legislation seeks to establish an interagency work group to advise school districts and others how to “provide students with a healthy environment that is conducive to learning, protects safety and public health, and efficiently uses energy and natural resources.” Both lead sponsors for this bill represent Western MA—Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Mindy Domb. More information | Sarita’s testimony

If you would like to provide written testimony for either of these bills before the end of this month, please contact PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman .

"Recognizing our own implicit biases..."

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:22:00 GMT

Amanda Lesnick is the Vice President of Support Services at the Gándara Center . She also serves on the PHIWM Board's Governance Committee.

"Gándara Center’s mission is to promote the well-being of Hispanics, African-Americans and other culturally diverse populations through innovative, culturally competent behavioral health, prevention, and educational services. Our mission, actions, and services speak to caring for our community, staff, and those we serve regardless of race, cultural, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The array of resources that PHIWM has pulled together provide concrete methods for furthering this mission.

Gándara partnered with the African Diaspora Mental Health Association , who provided a powerful and profound implicit bias training for our Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee as well as a community-based training at Springfield College, co-sponsored by our STOP Access Drug Free Communities Coalition.

Recognizing our own implicit biases, understanding that implicit biases simultaneously advantage certain groups while disadvantaging others, and seeking to mitigate the harm caused as a result is an essential foundational element of anti-racism work."

Visit the Race and Health Equity Guide to see resources and learn how other people in the region are working to advance race and health equity .

Lisa Ranghelli, Kathleen Szegda, Victoria Hill, and Tiffany Rufino to present at upcoming Baystate Health/Health New England Community Benefit Forums

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:40:00 GMT

Come network and learn at Baystate Health and Health New England's Upcoming Community Benefits Forums. PHIWM staff will present findings from the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessments .

Lisa Ranghelli will present at the 7/28/23 event, Victoria Hill and Tiffany Rufino will present at the 8/24/23 event, and Kathleen Szegda and Tiffany Rufino will present at the 9/26/23 event.

Learn more and register.

Jessica Collins is interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:36:00 GMT

In July PHIWM Executive Director Jessica Collins appeared on Comcast Newsmakers.

"If you break down health outcomes by, for example, race, ethnicity, gender, age, means, then you can see people who are experiencing poorer health outcomes than others." Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Executive Director, Jessica Collins, talks about the high rates of asthma in the region as well as other public health concerns.

"What PHIWM and regional partners have put together is basically a whole curriculum for us educators to use and empower our students..."

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:43:00 GMT

Gloria Caballero Roca is a Professor at Bard Micro College, and she serves on the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts' Board of Directors.

"I will be teaching a course this fall that´s titled Medical Humanities. The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide will be our main source of resources, data interpretation, and policies that in one way or the other affect the lives of our student population. We work with mostly a Latinx student body, all of whom are young mothers. This is a demographic that is generally highly affected by the social determinants of health; i.e., housing, access to quality education, access to healthcare, healthy food, transportation, etc. What PHIWM and regional partners have put together is basically a whole curriculum for us educators to use and empower our students with the language, the knowledge of the policies, and concepts, that would ultimately prepare them to be agents of change in their own communities."

Visit the Race and Health Equity Guide to see resources and learn how other people in the region are working to advance race and health equity .

Second Chances & Clean Slates

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:53:00 GMT

The LiveWell Springfield Age Friendly project with New North Citizen’s Council’s Debra Hunt Center and Men of Color Health Awareness have received a one-year grant from the Point32 Health Foundation to continue changing policies and systems that will support decisions that impact older adults who have criminal records. Our Second Chance Initiative aims to help people who are eligible to seal their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) to have more equitable access to housing, jobs, education, and more. This work will focus on three paths concurrently:

Informing people about when and how to seal a CORI with the help of nonprofit legal clinics;
Partnering with local housing authorities to clarify who are viable applicants; and
Advocating for state legislation that would automatically seal CORIs when individuals are eligible so that Paths 2 and 3 are no longer essential.

This work builds on the health impact assessment we conducted with financial support from the Massachusetts Community Health & Healthy Aging Fund and Tufts Health Plan Foundation. We will continue partnering with the New North Citizen Council (NNCC) and Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) in Hampden County, along with the statewide Massachusetts Clean Slate Coalition. Twelve states already have second chance/clean slate laws, and we need Massachusetts to join those ranks to advance health equity and racial justice.

Sarita Hudson and colleagues published in Science of The Total Environment

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:09:00 GMT

Sarita Hudson and colleagues' article, " Assessment of children's personal and land use regression model-estimated exposure to NO2 in Springfield, Massachusetts ", was recently published in the journal, Science of the Total Environment.

Abstract: Ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is derived from tailpipe vehicle emission and is linked with various of health outcomes. Personal exposure monitoring is crucial for accurate assessment of the associated disease risks. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a wearable air pollutant sampler in determining the personal NO2 exposure of school children for comparison with a model-based personal exposure assessment. We employed cost-effective, wearable passive samplers to directly measure personal exposure of 25 children (aged 12–13 years) in Springfield, MA to NO2 over a five-day period in winter 2018. NO2 levels were additionally measured at 40 outdoor sites in the same region using stationary passive samplers. A land use regression (LUR) model was developed based on the ambient NO2 measures, with a good prediction performance (R2 = 0.72) using road lengths, distance to highway, and institutional land area as predictor variables. Time-weighted averages (TWA), which incorporated the time-activity patterns of participants and LUR-derived estimates in children's primary microenvironments (homes, the school and commute paths), were calculated as an indirect measure of personal NO2 exposure. Results indicated that the conventional residence-based exposure estimate approach, often used in epidemiological studies, differed from the direct personal exposure and could overestimate the personal exposure by up to 109 %. TWA improved personal NO2 exposure estimates by accounting for the time activity patterns of individuals, a difference of 5.4 % ± 34.2 % was found for exposures compared to wristband measurements. Nevertheless, the personal wristband measurements exhibited a large variability due to the potential contributions from indoor and in-vehicle NO2 sources. The findings suggest that exposure to NO2 can be highly personalized based on individual activities and contact with pollutants in specific microenvironments, reaffirming the importance of measuring personal exposure.

“On the road to social justice, philanthropic supports for racial equity must do three things to drive change: Lift, Clear, and Push..."

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 16:03:00 GMT

Nigel Greaves is the Director of Development at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

“On the road to social justice, philanthropic supports for racial equity must do three things to drive change: Lift, Clear, and Push. Lift the wise and experienced voices within BIPOC communities in charting the course, Clear roadblocks from the paths to serving people and shifting power, and then Push resources behind effective initiatives led by black and brown folks.

It is critical for funders to remember that no matter which health equity issue is being considered - mental wellness, housing scarcity, food insecurity, climate resilience, the COVID pandemic, or drug use - communities of color are consistently hit the hardest, with the longest lasting impacts. Philanthropy can help us all get to a better place by lifting, clearing, and pushing along the way.”

Check out the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide to find resources to help you “clear” roadblocks.

Update on Second Chance/Clean Slate Bill

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:06:00 GMT

On June 14 scores of advocates joined with state senators and representatives on Beacon Hill to highlight the pressing need to modernize Massachusetts’ outdated system for managing criminal offense record information (CORI). The Legislature’s Criminal Justice Reform Caucus hosted this legislative briefing to champion two “clean slate/second chance bills” that would reduce CORI barriers for returning residents to access housing and jobs. People who were formerly incarcerated spoke about the challenges they face when their CORIs are not sealed when they should be. We also heard from the Litigation Director for Community Legal Services of Pennsylvania, a national expert on clean slate laws.

One bill (H.1598/S.979), introduced by Rep. Keefe and Sen. Friedman, would automatically seal criminal and juvenile records after the applicable waiting periods, without having to file a petition. To date, the Western MA co-sponsors of this bill are Reps. Duffy, Farley-Bouvier, Pease, Sabadosa, Williams, and Sens. Comerford, Gomez, and Oliveira. The other bill (H.1493/S.998), introduced by Rep. Fluker-Oakley and Sen. Gomez, would require that a CORI be immediately sealed if a charge does not end in a conviction. To date, the Western MA co-sponsors of this bill are Reps. Sabadosa, Williams, and Sen. Gomez.

Several states already have such systems in place, and Massachusetts needs to implement them too. Both bills are PHIWM legislative priorities, and we are an active member with the Clean Slate/Second Chance Coalition, in partnership with Greater Boston Legal Services, Justice 4 Housing, Union of Minority Neighborhoods, Community Work Services, and many other organizations committed to a more equitable CORI system. If you would like to help advocate for these bills or are looking for more information, contact Andrea Freeman

Pictured: Some of the more than 50 people who gathered at the State House to advocate for CORI reform, because a criminal record should not mean poverty and no real chance for success.

Pictured from left: Leslie Credle, Executive Director of Justice 4 Housing, and PHIWM's Policy Director Andrea Freeman at the State House advocating for CORI reform

Sarita Hudson spoke with WWLP-22News about air quality

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:08:00 GMT

Sarita Hudson spoke with WWLP-22News about air quality, and she showed an inexpensive way to make an indoor air cleaner. Check it out!

Canadian Wildfires Affecting Air Quality in the Region; Please Take Precautions

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:33:00 GMT

The Northampton Department of Health and Human Services released an advisory today about the poor air quality we are experiencing due to Canadian wildfires as well as the precautions we should take to stay healthy. Sarita Hudson was quoted in the press release.

Precautions you can take:

Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity (Sensitive groups include people with heart and lung disease like COPD or asthma, older adults, children, and people with diabetes)
If you have asthma, keep quick relief medication handy
Keep windows and doors shut
Use air conditioning on recirculation setting
If you do not fall into a sensitive group, avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and take frequent breaks

Read the Press Release Now!

Media Advisory: In Celebration of Older Americans Month Springfield Hosts Age-Friendly Health and Tech Showcase

Tue, 30 May 2023 17:54:00 GMT

Contact: Samantha Hamilton, Sr. Manager of Community Engagement, (413) 241-4658 | SHamilton@PublicHealthWM.org

Who: LiveWell Springfield, Dept. Of Elder Affairs, Mayor Dominic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, Rep. Bud William, Rep. Carlos González, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

What: Connecting Innovation and Health: Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase

When : Wednesday May 31, 2023, 11:30am -2:00pm

Where: Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center, 1476 Roosevelt Street, Springfield, MA 01109

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) Live Well Springfield Coalition in collaboration with the Springfield Department of Elder Affairs Outreach Division will be hosting a Health and Tech Showcase on May 31, 2023, 11:30 am-2:00 pm at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center located at 1476 Roosevelt Street, Springfield, MA 01109.

This free event will highlight Health, Wellness, and Tech Innovations for older adults in celebration of Older Americans Month. This event aims to support caregivers and empower older adults to take control of their own health and wellness by sharing possible solutions to foster easier connectivity between older adults, caregivers, and providers.

“We are so excited to host this event, which is the culmination of 6 years of working to address health inequities among older adults,’ said Jessica Collins, Executive Director PHIWM. “We encourage older adults, caregivers, and providers to attend.”

The showcase will feature 15-20 health, digital equity, and tech venders. It will kick off with remarks from Mayor Dominic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, State Rep. Bud L. William, and PHIWM Executive Director Jessica Collins. Lunch will be provided.

The Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly City Initiative collaborates with community partners and residents to assess racial inequities and barriers to access for Older Adults in housing, transportation, health, and community services. The coalition advocates for initiatives and policies that address inequities and ensure that residents have what they need to be healthy as they age. The coalition is currently working to advance health care at home options for older adults while addressing the Digital Divide. The “Digital Divide” refers to inequities in access to devices, internet, and skills to connect digitally. TechSpring has worked with the coalition to introduce innovative solutions for older adults.

In the morning there will be two invite-only workshops for older adults and caregivers. Tech Spring and Live Well Springfield will host a workshop with 30-40 older adults and caregivers to understand their motivations and hesitation about health solutions at home, and the Alliance for Digital Equity will host a workshop to introduce a cyber senior peer-to-peer model.

“Any time we host an event where we team up with community partners who align themselves with our mission to improve the quality of life for older adults is an opportunity we whole-heartedly embrace! At the Department of Elder Affairs, we encourage everyone to enhance their quality of life by creating their own handbook for aging well, via services and programs that support living better. This event passionately showcases this ideal,” shared Elder Affairs Director Sandy Federico.

The Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly Coalition is funded by Point32 Health formerly Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Harvard Pilgrim.

To register for this free event, go to: https://qrco.de/Age-Friendly. We look forward to seeing you there!

Panel of Students and Mental Health Professionals Discuss Social Media, Self-Care, and More

Wed, 24 May 2023 13:15:00 GMT

Students from across Springfield came together on May 6, 2023 to learn about and educate each other on the topic of mental health and wellness. In this portion of the program, a panel made up of a mix of students and mental health professionals addressed pressing issues our youth currently face and ways to address them personally and as a community.

A Glimpse at the 2023 County Health Rankings

Wed, 17 May 2023 20:44:00 GMT

The 2023 County Health Rankings are now available. Our health is shaped by a variety of factors, including the social, economic, cultural, and physical environments we live in. The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program provides data on more than 90 factors that influence our health, such as education, employment, community safety, housing, and access to health care. By examining these factors and how they vary among different populations and geographies, we can identify strategies to advance health and equity. We have highlighted a few of the available maps.

Length of Life

Length of Life is the time between birth and death, and it is an important indicator of population health. We measure how long people live to gain insights into the factors that influence premature deaths. The map below ranks each county by life expectancy- with 1 being the highest life expectancy and 14 being the lowest. Improving community-level factors, such as access to healthy food, quality medical care, and a clean environment, can help to extend life expectancy and improve overall health.

Physical Inactivity

In Massachusetts, 19% of adults reported taking part in no physical activity outside of work. This ranged from 16% to 24% of adults across counties in the state. Physical inactivity is linked to increased risk of health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and shortened life expectancy.

Mental Health Providers

Access to mental health care is essential for improving overall health and well-being. This map shows the ratio of population to mental health providers in different counties. There have been many efforts to improve mental health in the region and state, such as the designation of 25 new Community Behavioral Health Centers that offer 24/7 crisis care as well as routine appointments and walk-ins.

If you are interested in exploring more, visit the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website .

I Am More Than My Mood

Tue, 02 May 2023 21:37:00 GMT

Check out Tiffany Rufino 's article about the Youth Mental Health Coalition in the May 1st edition of the African-American Point of View (page 28), and don't miss the upcoming Youth Mental Health Summit on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 11 am-5 pm at Valley Venture Mentors in Springfield.

Read Af-Am Point of View
Learn more and register for the "Everyone Comes Together" youth mental health event

New Report! 2022 At-A-Glance

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:16:00 GMT

We are pleased to share our first annual report, 2022 At-A-Glance! This report highlights the breadth and impact of our work. We built off of last year's Five-Year Reflection as a Public Health Institute, and keep things short and sweet as we reflect on our accomplishments from our collaborative efforts with many of you over the past year!

Watch video from the I Am More Than My Mood Launch Event

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:56:00 GMT

The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition recently launched a mental health awareness campaign called “I Am More Than My Mood”. The goal of the campaign is to normalize and encourage healthy conversations about mental health. Check out the video below from the February 24, 2023 launch event.

Samantha Hamilton's article recently published in e-book

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 18:34:00 GMT

Samantha Hamilton's article, Building a Culture of Health in the Era of Climate Change, was recently published in the newest edition of an e-book series called Resilience Matters: Collective Action for Healthier Communities .

Download a free copy of the book .

Tiffany Rufino recently spoke with WAMC Northeast Public Radio about the Youth Mental Health Coalition and their new mental health awareness campaign

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 16:35:00 GMT

Listen to Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager Tiffany Rufino' s interview with Paul Tuthill of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

"...it is important to avoid the single stories while actively seeking out intersectional information since systems of oppression work together to harm all of us."

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 20:36:00 GMT

Leela Ramachandran is a Research Assistant at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

"It is critical that we incorporate intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, in all our endeavors. Without this perspective, we over-simplify the complexity of being people with many different identities that inform lived experience. I am personally affected by racism, sexism, and homophobia—often simultaneously—which has shaped my identity and perspectives. This dovetails well with a TED Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called The Danger of a Single Story which highlights the impossibility of a single story about any person, identity, or country. As we collaborate to advance racial equity, it is important to avoid the single stories while actively seeking out intersectional information since systems of oppression work together to harm all of us."

Check out the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide for additional resources.

Sarita Hudson speaks about poor air quality with Western Mass News

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:07:00 GMT

Pioneer Valley Healthy Air Network and Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition was highlighted in a news article by Western Mass News where our colleague, Sarita Hudson , director of programs and development for PHIWM, talks about poor air quality in our region and how it has impacted our health. Watch her on Western Mass News.

Samantha Hamilton joined Dr. Kalache to discuss Age- and Dementia-Friendly Communities

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:04:00 GMT

Watch the recording from the webinar, Elevating Inclusive Age- and Dementia- Friendly Communities, hosted by Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.

Dr. Kalache has served as President of the International Longevity Centre-Brazil since 2012 and co-President of the Global Alliance of International Longevity Centres since 2015. Formerly, he directed the World Health Organization's global aging program at its Geneva headquarters and has served as an advisor to HELP AGE International and the New York Academy of Medicine.

This event was open to the statewide stakeholder and community network of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and community leaders working on age- and dementia-friendly initiatives. It was supported by Point32Health Foundation.

Launch Event for New Mental Health Awareness Campaign

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 22:30:00 GMT

On February 24, 2023, the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition, convened by the Public Health Institute of Western MA, will host a press conference to announce the launch of I Am More Than My Mood (#MTMM), a new mental health awareness campaign. The event starts at 5:30 pm in the Robyn Newhouse Hall at the Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. There will be a press conference at 5:30pm and the launch event at 6:00pm. Come hear from the youth who helped develop the campaign, and enjoy light refreshments.

Learn more and register.

Media Advisory: Youth Mental Health Coalition Launches New Awareness Campaign; Kick-Off Event on Feb 24

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:25:00 GMT

Contact:

Sarita Hudson, Sr. Director of Programs and Development

413-320-2827

SHudson@PublicHealthWM.org

Download a copy of the press release or read below

SPRINGFIELD — On February 24, 2023 , the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), convened by the Public Health Institute of Western MA, will host a press conference to announce the launch of I Am More Than My Mood (#MTMM), a new mental health awareness campaign. The press conference will take place at 5:30 pm in the Robyn Newhouse Hall at the Community Music School of Springfield , 127 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. The press conference will be followed by a red-carpet presentation of the I Am More Than My Mood campaign ads. YMHC Youth Advisors, Beat the Odds, will present the ads and share the goals of this mental health awareness campaign.

Presenters will include: Mayor Domenic J. Sarno; Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris; Azell Cavaan on behalf of Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick; City Councilor Zaida Govan; Shabazz Wilson, Behavioral Health Network; Zena Murray, Beat the Odds Program Leader at the South End Community Center; and Sabrinna Marshall, President of Beat the Odds at Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services.

The goal of the I Am More Than My Mood campaign is to normalize healthy conversations about mental health and encourage youth and adults/caregivers in Greater Springfield to discuss stress, anxiety, and depression as common challenges that everyone goes through. The campaign directs community to morethanmymood.org for resources.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris states, “Mental illness knows no boundaries, no income status. It affects all of us. Just like physical health, it is normal and common to experience struggles when it comes to mental health. It is OK to seek help.”

Shabazz Wilson (partner from BHN) also noted, “Mental Health is Health. Check on Your Friends Today.”

Commissioner Caulton-Harris further explained, “Socialization is key to mental and emotional health for adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic caused extreme isolation that resulted in limited social and emotional contact with peers which had a devastating impact on the mental health of our youth, resulting in increased rates of suicide and trauma. This awareness campaign and the work behind it is crucial to reaching our youth and ensuring they know the importance of taking care of their mental health and where to turn when they are struggling.”

Data from the Springfield youth health surveys illustrate the need for expanding and destigmatizing youth mental health services locally. In 2019 , more than a third of eighth grade students (35%) reported sustained sadness or hopelessness that impacted their usual activities (31% in 2017, 34% in 2015). This rate was particularly high among students who identified as female (46%) and LGBTQ+ (65%). Another round of surveying is currently underway in Springfield Public Schools.

Superintendent Daniel Warwick shared, “With the prevalence of mental health issues in our society, it would be a misconception to think that youth are immune. In fact, research shows that mental health issues often begin during school-age years. The outstanding work of the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition will go a long way in helping to normalize conversations that youth may find difficult to approach. We hope that this campaign empowers youth to understand that they are so much more than their mood and that it is okay to reach out for help. Springfield Public Schools is extremely pleased and grateful for the opportunity the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition has provided to help our youth make those brave and powerful steps forward.”

The campaign was developed by Axiom Blue Marketing . Youth advisors from Beat the Odds, the YMHC’s youth advisory groups that are convened by Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services and the South End Community Center, lent their voices to the campaign via focus groups, and crafting mood boards with color swatches. The YMHC determined early in the campaign’s development the importance of local youth learning about the campaign production process. As a result, the youth attended several in-person and virtual conferences with the lead producer, CGI Artist, and wardrobe stylist. The youth ultimately opted to serve as print models for the MTMM campaign.

“Our production team, a combination of world class and local talent were all driven by the same experience, mental health obstacles as adolescents,” says Angela D. Mack, CEO of Axiom Blue Marketing, “We were those kids and our mission as a team was to make youth of color undergoing mental health challenges feel seen, empowered, and embraced for exactly who they are.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “This ‘More Than My Mood’ campaign brought many talented and dedicated people together and we are grateful for all their hard work and efforts toward strengthening and empowering our youth. Thank you to the Public Health Institute of Western Mass for spearheading this effort, and to “Beat the Odds” – the group of incredible young people who advised the coalition along the way, your work will impact youths and families throughout our city and beyond – thank you.”

“This truly is a campaign for Springfield youth and families, developed by youth and caregivers in Springfield”, said Tiffany Rufino, Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager . “The youth informed the campaign through focus groups and surveys, they chose the vibrant colorways, and met with the photographer and fashion designer to share insights and ideas on how the campaign should look and feel. We are extremely proud of our youth for their courage in spreading awareness about youth mental health.”

For many, this campaign is personal. Ysabel Garcia, founder of Estoy Aquí LLC , shared, “When I think about this campaign and the youth involved, I also think about the meaning behind my organization’s name, Estoy Aqui (I Am Here). If I had upstream community support growing up as an immigrant teen experiencing stress, trauma, and thoughts of death, it could have prevented a lot of guilt and shame from settling in my heart. I would have understood that there are multiple dimensions to healing and that, most importantly, I did not have to go through it alone.”

"I spent a lot of time praying and thinking what is my purpose here on earth?” shared Zena Murray, Beat the Odds Program Leader at South End Community Center . “Working with youth and teens is in fact not work at all, it is MY purpose. Being the person in the room that will show up for our future leaders means everything.”

Sabrinna Marshall, President of Beat the Odds (BTO) at Martin Luther King Jr Family Services ., says, “being a part of BTO is such a great way to connect with my community through mental health work. As President of this group, I aim to have our group more present in the community both virtually and physically. I want BTO youth to know how important it is to take care of their bodies physically and mentally so that they have more confidence and self-awareness.”

The #MTMM public awareness campaign will run on billboards, social and digital media, and on PVTA bus ads in the greater Springfield region through the summer of 2023.

Community organizations, schools, and other entities in Greater Springfield are encouraged to attend and amplify the campaign. Posters and postcards will be available at the event for free and upon request.

Mayor Sarno states, “The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition is doing such a phenomenal job in continuing to address the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially when it comes to their work with young people. Stress, anxiety, and depression are issues that we all must face from time to time. It is important that everyone knows that there are resources and places to go that can help us through the toughest times. Remember that it is ok to seek out that help. Your mood, your zip code, or your current circumstances do not define who you are – you do.”

The mental health awareness campaign was made possible through funding from The Davis Foundation, Trinity Health of New England, The Whitcomb Foundation, City of Springfield, Women’s Fund of Western MA.

ABOUT THE SPRINGFIELD YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH COALITION

The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC) is convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, through funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services. The YMHC consists of behavioral health, community, and youth-serving organizations who serve families across Greater Springfield, with representatives from African Diaspora Mental Health Association, Baystate Health, Behavioral Health Network, Davis Foundation, Estoy Aquí, Gándara Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, New North Citizens Council, Out Now, Public Health Institute of Western MA, Springfield Office of Health and Racial Equity, Springfield Public Schools, Square One, and Tools for Success Counseling, LLC. Other coalition activities include professional development and convening of peer mentoring organizations.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts formed over 25 years ago with the goal of building measurably healthier communities using data and its convening power to create collaborative partnerships. For more information, visit https://www.publichealthwm.org/

"I find it so critical that anti-racism resources are coupled with accountability supports..."

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 13:48:00 GMT

Lisa Ranghelli is the Director of Assessment and Capacity Building at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

"Several of my peers in the nonprofit community had recommended Layla F. Saad's book, Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor . So when the Women's Fund offered to host a discussion group for the book, I jumped on the opportunity. It held up a mirror into the painful reality of my whiteness -- white fragility, white centering, performative allyship, white saviorism and other ways that we white people are complicit in perpetuating harm despite our passionate commitment to racial equity. This book is about taking action, not navel gazing. So I was grateful to then join the staff of PHIWM, where these conversations are explicit and ongoing. I find it so critical that anti-racism resources are coupled with accountability supports to make sure I don't fall back into complacency."

Policy Director Andrea Freeman Urges Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission to Consider Public Health

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 19:15:00 GMT

Policy Director Andrea Freeman provided oral and written testimony at the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission's recent public hearing.

Read an article about the hearing in the Greenfield Recorder .

The Power of Convening People: Kresge features Live Well Springfield on their website

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 18:16:00 GMT

Live Well Springfield was recently featured on the Kresge Foundation's website in an article called, Partnerships, power of convening help Live Well Springfield Coalition advance climate policies .

Check it out!

Legislators, Advocates & the Push for Health Equity

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:20:00 GMT

Did you know that the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts advocates for legislation that advances health equity and brings us closer to racial justice? Learn more:

Listen to Andrea Freeman's interview with Doris Harris on the Health Matters Radio Show, which aired on January 18, 2023.
Read Andrea Freeman's article in the January 1st edition of the African-American Point of View.

Long COVID Webinar Recording Posted!

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:34:00 GMT

Watch the recording from the January 20, 2023 webinar about Long COVID, featuring Bruce Levy, MD, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Linda Sprague Martinez, PhD, from Boston University. The webinar was co-hosted by State Representative Mindy Domb and PHIWM Executive Director Jessica Collins.

Download webinar slides

Webinar: Long COVID

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Please Join us for a webinar about Long COVID on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 12:00pm- 1:00pm featuring Bruce Levy, MD, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and Linda Sprague Martinez, PhD, from Boston University. The webinar will be co-moderated by Representative Mindy Domb and Jessica Collins. There will be a Q&A session after we hear from both speakers. You may submit questions during registration or ask them live at the event.

Learn more and register!

"One of my favorite resources is the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley..."

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 22:35:00 GMT

Kimberly Robinson is the Executive Director of Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and she serves on the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts' Board of Directors.

"One of my favorite resources is the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley . Since 2021, PVPC has worked with them to ensure that every one of our team members participates in their training, and we are working together on a project for our Commission. It is so helpful having this resource in our region; having an organization that centers racism and normalizes useful dialogue and healing is vital to the well-being of our communities. I have also found The Conversation: Tips on Having Conversations about Race to be very helpful when engaging in dialogue regarding race and racial equity. Being open to suggestions about how to effectively discuss these issues is just as important as having the conversations themselves."

Visit the Race and Health Equity Guide to see additional resources and learn about other organizations in the region working on advancing race and health equity.

Tiffany Rufino Speaks About Youth Mental Health and Mentoring on Mass Appeal

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 16:31:00 GMT

January 17th was International Mentoring Day. Tiffany Rufino , Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager, and Zena Murray, Beat the Odds Program Coordinator at the South End Community Center, spoke with Kayla Hevey on Mass Appeal about the importance of mentoring and how to get involved.

"...we can work towards more systemic organizational change together."

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:28:00 GMT

Sarah Morgan is on the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts' Board of Directors and is the Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development at Health New England.

"At Health New England, we are using the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts’s Race and Health Equity Resource Guide to inform our internal and external conversations about the work we do every day to deliver on our mission to improve the health and lives of the people in our communities. As a foundation of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee’s Call to Action, we aim to raise awareness in our work and our workplace about health equity and the structural barriers that result in disparate health outcomes, such as structural racism, poverty, sexism, and social determinants of health, including education, employment, housing and social environment. We aim to do better as a health plan and community member, and with tools available to us like the Resource Guide, we can work towards more systemic organizational change together."

Our 2023-2024 Policy Agenda

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:26:00 GMT

The MA state legislature begins a new two-year session next month. After all 40 state senators and 160 representatives are sworn in on January 4, 2023, we can expect them to file upwards of 7,000 bills in just a few weeks. While many of those bills are “refiles” from last session, plenty will be new, with novel ideas and approaches intended to better address the needs of our Commonwealth.

At this point, many nonprofits, businesses, and institutions—including PHIWM—will begin to advocate for specific topics and bills. As a mission-driven nonprofit organization that does research and coalition building, PHIWM also advocates for legislation that advances health equity and brings us closer to racial justice.

In 2023-2024, our advocacy work will focus on the dire need in Western MA for more housing that is affordable and healthy to live in, because housing is a key driver of good health for all. Working collaboratively with the Western MA Network to End Homelessness , PHIWM will help ensure that there are strong Western MA voices at the statewide tables that are often made up of only folks from Eastern MA. We will also be working to pass a transformative local public health bill (SAPHE 2.0); to invest in youth mental health; to improve air quality; and to increase public transportation options that reduce carbon emissions. In doing this work, we will participate in several coalitions, including those led by the MA Association of Community Development Corporations , MA Public Health Association , Greater Boston Legal Services , MA Law Reform Institute , Transportation for MA , and the Conservation Law Foundation .

If you would like to learn more about our policy priorities, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter , follow us on Facebook , or contact Policy Director Andrea Freeman.

Jessica Collins to join several other speakers at upcoming virtual forum, Roadmap to Behavioral Health in Western Massachusetts

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:00:00 GMT

The Massachusetts Health Policy Forum is hosting a virtual forum, Roadmap to Behavioral Health in Western Massachusetts, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

The COVID Pandemic exacerbated a behavioral health crisis particularly in Western Massachusetts. The 2020 statewide COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS) reported that in western MA, one in three respondents (33%) reported 15 or more poor mental health days in the past 30 days. The lack of access to culturally competent mental health and substance use disorder treatment in rural and under-resourced urban areas is having a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.

This forum will examine the depth and causes of the crisis and potential solutions. It will also look at recently passed Mental Health ABC: Addressing Barriers to Care and the state's Roadmap for Behavioral Health.

After a welcome from Secretary Marylou Sudders and Dr. Mark Keroack, President & CEO of Baystate Health, Audrey Shelto, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation will provide an overview of state action and moderate a panel of Western Massachusetts experts in the field. Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts will provide insight into behavioral health community needs in Western Massachusetts. Tania Barber, President & CEO of Caring Health Center will give ground level insight into patient needs from the community health perspective and Steven Winn, the President & CEO of Behavioral Health Network will provide insight into state legislation and needs in the commonwealth and Western Massachusetts. This event was made possible by generous funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Baystate Health .

Watch the recording

Andrea Freeman Speaks with Monte about the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 03:07:00 GMT

Monte spoke with Andrea Freeman about how the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts works with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to change policies to end hunger.

"Identifying mental health risk factors and the inequities driving poorer health outcomes among youth are key..."

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 18:46:00 GMT

Kimberley Lee is on the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts' Board of Directors and is the Chief of Creative Strategy and Development at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center.

"Identifying mental health risk factors and the inequities driving poorer health outcomes among youth are key for providers to better deliver mental and behavioral health care to this population. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts released a report in 2021 that highlighted the high rates of mental health risk factors and outcomes experienced by Springfield teens , particularly students of color, females, and students who identify as LGBTQ+. Access to such data about inequities helps those of us who deliver psychiatric and substance use care better serve those populations with a keener sense of culturally and linguistically appropriate and individualized health services. It is known that 50% of mental illness starts by age 14. We can help prevent such illness from becoming chronic if we can lower exposure to external factors contributing to it and intervene early with treatment."

Dr. Szegda Presents at APHA's 2022 Annual Meeting

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:15:00 GMT

Kathleen Szegda and Erin Hennessy from Tufts University presented at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting and Expo. Their presentation was called At the Intersection of Community Engagement and ROADS: Lessons learned from the Research on Active Design in Springfield Research Study. It explored the strengths and challenges of participatory community-research partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The R.O.A.D.S. Study was initiated in 2018 at the request of Live Well Springfield and was funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The research aims to evaluate Complete Streets changes and their impact on health. The term “Complete Streets” refers to streets that are designed with all users in mind, including cyclists and walkers. The City of Springfield adopted a Complete Streets Policy in 2016, which has led to changes throughout the city. Data collection for the study is complete, and analysis is currently underway.

Kathleen Szegda also participated in a poster session at APHA’s Annual Meeting, sharing findings from our health impact assessment about the use of CORIs in housing decisions , particularly among older adults in Hampden County.

Language is incredibly powerful tool in efforts to advance racial equity.

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 20:41:00 GMT

Briana Wales-Thaxton is the VP for People and Culture at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts . She is responsible for all human resources functions as well as leading the collaborative implementation of the Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion action plan, and took part in developing the Race and Health Equity Glossary that is part of the toolkit. She has embedded the glossary in an updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training that will be provided to all employees at the Foundation.

How are you using tools in the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide? Share a story or a resource here .

Transforming Communities 2022 Prioritization Process

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 15:33:00 GMT

We invite Springfield residents to give their feedback on the most pressing needs for the City of Springfield. Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health of New England has funding to address health needs in Springfield and we are seeking input from residents on the top health issues.

Please join us:

Thursday, October 6, 2022, 5:30-7:00 pm, free food, $20 gift card to the first 20 participants- Register here!
Thursday, October 13, 2022, 12:30-1:30 pm, $20 gift card to first 20 participants- Register here!

About the Project

These two events are being held as part of the Transforming Communities Initiative 2022 prioritization process. The process so far has involved an Advisory Committee of representatives from community organizations and Springfield residents. The Advisory Committee, which is convened by Mercy Medical Center and the Public Health Institute of Western Mass, includes Resident Advisors and representatives from several community-based organizations. The Advisory Committee has reviewed health needs and barriers identified in Mercy Medical Center’s recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) . They are working to narrow the list to 3-5 topics to then bring to the community for feedback. Learn more.

Samantha Hamilton to join State Senator Jo Comerford as Keynote Speaker for UMass School of Public Policy Kickoff

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 13:40:00 GMT

Samantha Hamilton will join State Senator Jo Comerford as a Keynote Speaker for the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy to kick off the 2022-2023 academic year with an address to inspire students, faculty, staff and community members.

The event takes place on Thursday, September 1, at the Old Chapel. Light refreshments will be served at 12:45 p.m., with the talk beginning at 1 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

Learn more and RSVP.

A Mental Model to Diminish Conflict and Identify Biases

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:06:00 GMT

Learn about one of Jessica Collins' favorite resources below.

The Ladder of Inference is a model for understanding how people create meaning and sometimes jump to incorrect conclusions about what others have said or done. It is based on material from Chris Argyris in his work Overcoming Organizational Defenses.

Learn more about this tool:

We would love to hear from you! Do you have a resource that should be added to the Guide? Would you like to share a story about your favorite resource and how you have used it to advance racial equity? Contact us!

LiveWell Springfield Manager Samantha Hamilton Participated in Panel about Building Community Power to Advance Climate Justice, Equity, and Health

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:15:00 GMT

On Thursday, August 11, 2022, Live Well Springfield Manager Samantha Hamilton participated in a panel at the Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health's 8th Annual Environmental Justice and Health Disparities Symposium . The panel Building Community Power to Advance Climate Justice was moderated by Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, Co-Executive Director of the Highlander Education and Research Center. Samantha was joined by Taren Evans from the Coalition of Communities of Color and Caro Martinez with the Environmental Health Coalition.

Teaching Medical Students About Health Equity

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:18:00 GMT

The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide was developed by our Board's Race & Health Equity Committee, but we continue to add new resources as they are created and shared by regional partners and collaborations. Our hope is that it will serve not only as a resource for the board and staff but also as a resource for external partners. Read below how our Board Member Sarah Perez McAdoo uses the Guide.

History of Tobacco, Slavery, and Health Webinar Recording Posted!

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:34:00 GMT

I strive to think of how we can do "something different" in all the work we do!

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:01:00 GMT

The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide was developed by our Board's Race & Health Equity Committee. We continue to add new resources. Our hope is that it will serve not only as a resource for the board and staff but also as a resource for external partners. Read below how Victoria Ramos has used one of the resources.

The White Dominant Culture and Something Different worksheet is designed for workplaces to examine their culture and norms. The worksheet was adapted for ACCE from an adaptation by Partners for Collaborative Change based on “White Supremacy Culture” By Tema Okun and Kenneth Jones, for large, majority-white environmental organizations, using interviews with staff and partners of these organizations.

For many, the term “White supremacy” conjures extreme images of groups like the Ku Klux Klan or the shooter in Buffalo. However, Racial Equity Tools defines White supremacy culture as “the dominant, unquestioned standards of behavior and ways of functioning embodied by the vast majority of institutions in the United States. These standards may be seen as mainstream, dominant cultural practices..." White supremacy culture (interchangeable with "White dominate culture") can be subtle and difficult to perceive as "it is indistinguishable from what we might call U.S. culture norms".

Guiding Internal Discussions about Race and Health Equity

Fri, 20 May 2022 18:06:00 GMT

Are you having conversations at your organization about race?

Cristina Huebner Torres PhD, MA , Chief Research & Population Health Officer at Caring Health Center, Inc. is using the resources from our Race and Health Equity Resource Guide for internal discussions at her organization.

Reflection on Women's Health, Safety, and Rights

Thu, 19 May 2022 14:18:00 GMT

Written by Jessica Collins , Executive Director and Attorney Liz Dineen, Board Member and CEO of YWCA of Western MA

Debates about Roe v. Wade (the 1972 Supreme Court ruling that enabled abortion rights) are roiled with hurt, hate, religious and political proselytizing, bitter dividedness, and most importantly, the tremendous risk to individuals who are pregnant. Pregnancy can often be a life and death situation, both in becoming pregnant and giving birth. Recent public health data show alarming inequities in both sexual violence and maternal health. Limiting abortion will have negative impacts, on the immediate and the long-term decisions that come with having a child: whether those decisions are related to health, finances, or social and emotional well-being.

PHIWM, in partnership with organizations like the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, released a report in 2019 on Sexual Violence Towards Girls and Women in Hampden County. In our report, we shared that sexual violence is a widespread public health problem that is often overlooked and underreported. In addition to the physical and emotional traumas of sexual violence, experiences of sexual violence are strongly associated with other types of violence, as well as a variety of negative sexual, mental, and physical health outcomes, including unintended pregnancies. Adolescent girls and young women, arguably, carry the greatest burden of sexual violence.

Data regarding maternal health is stark when viewed through an equity lens. The risk of pregnancy-related deaths for black women is three to four times higher than those of white women [i] . Similarly, infant mortality rates among black people are more than double those of white people. [ii]

For these two public health reasons and because we stand firmly behind a policy that upholds human rights, we feel it is important to highlight what is going on in our country and our Commonwealth to ensure the reduction of inequities and the protection of rights to safeguard safety and wellbeing for all. For most of our country’s history, women led on the care of both pregnancy and childbirth. In the latter part of the 20th century, these became medicalized and politicized, and though this country had provided laws to protect women’s rights, we are going backward with tremendous risk to women’s and family’s health.

In light of this national debate, it is important to understand the implications for people here in Massachusetts with regard to this health and safety issue. Restricting abortion access will not stop abortions, rather it will result in people seeking out unsafe abortion care. That is why Massachusetts lawmakers are preparing to both secure women’s rights here in MA and to support women who may come here from other states.

The Democrat-controlled Legislature passed the ROE Act in 2020 to codify and expand access to the abortion procedure over a veto from Governor Charlie Baker. Abortions are legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy and are allowed afterward in cases of fatal fetal anomaly or to preserve a pregnant person’s health. Individuals as young as 16 years old can seek the procedure without consent from a parent or judge. If the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade and decisions around abortion become state ruled, then Massachusetts, like other states, could be safe harbors for people seeking the procedure.

Currently, advocates are asking for Massachusetts legislators to think about everything possible to protect people— from funding to provider protections, to patient protections, to expanded access. Massachusetts House lawmakers already passed $500,000 to expand abortion access in their budget to support people from out of state, while the Senate included $2 million.

When policymakers debate policy and law that can result in the intensification of health inequities, it is imperative that they understand health data, patterns of social strife, and injustices.

[i] MA Department of Public Health. Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Initiative. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/maternal-mortality-and-morbidity-initiative Accessed 5/17/22.

[ii] Kaiser Family Foundation. Infant Mortality Rate by Race/Ethnicity, 2019. https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/infant-mortality-rate-by-race-ethnicity/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D Accessed 5/17/22

Strengthening our Policy Work

Fri, 13 May 2022 16:55:00 GMT

Join us in welcoming Andrea Freeman!

Since our beginning years in the mid-1990s, our organization has worked on policy as a way to advance, scale, and sustain our community health work in partnership with local and statewide collaborations. In more recent years, we have built different ways to inform action on policy through our regional assessments, community health reports, and community data platforms.

We are thrilled to announce that we have now invested in a Director of Data to Policy Action position to help take health equity policy action to a new level for our western MA region. Andrea is a seasoned leader, a passionate advocate, strategic thinker, and can bring a smile or laugh to heavy policy discussions! We are so lucky to have her with us working on behalf of our region.

Webinar Recording Posted: The Future of COVID-19 in Western MA

Wed, 04 May 2022 14:25:00 GMT

This webinar, held on Friday, April 29, 2022, explores the current status of COVID, testing and treatment moving forward, the implications of cutbacks in COVID-19 services, and lessons learned from community outreach. The webinar was moderated by Airín Martínez, PHIWM Board Member and Assistant Professor in Health Policy & Management, Department of Health Promotion and Policy at UMass School of Public Health. Speakers included Doris Harris, host of Health Matters Radio Show, Health Editor of The Point of View Community Newspaper, and PHIWM Consultant; Phoebe Walker, Director of Community Services at Franklin Regional Council of Governments; and Amanda Westlake, MD, Physician, Director of COVID Outpatient Therapeutics, Medical Director of Post-COVID Clinic at Baystate Health.

News Coverage of the Event

Local public health officials explain transitioning out of “pandemic phase” , 4/29/22, 22news WWLP.com

The Future of COVID in Western MA

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Join us for a webinar on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 12:00-1:00 pm the future of COVID-19. We will explore testing and treatment moving forward, as well as the implications of cutbacks in COVID-19 services and funding.

The webinar will be moderated by Airín Martínez, PHIWM Board Member and Assistant Professor in Health Policy & Management Department of Health Promotion and Policy at UMass School of Public Health.

Speakers will include Doris Harris, host of Health Matters Radio Show, Health Editor of The Point of View Community Newspaper, and PHIWM Consultant; Phoebe Walker, Director of Community Services at Franklin Regional Council of Governments; and Amanda Westlake, MD, Physician, Director of COVID Outpatient Therapeutics, Medical Director of Post-COVID Clinic at Baystate Health.

Learn more and register.

Our Journey

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT

In this video, Executive Director Jessica Collins and Founder Frank Robinson talk about the evolution of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

The goal of this video is two-fold. First, to help people understand who we are and what we do. Second, to increase awareness about public health more generally.

Public health is so much more than medicine and vaccines. It's bringing together diverse sectors and communities to develop solutions. It's identifying inequities and working to address the root causes. It's evaluating programs and initiatives to help ensure they have their desired impact. It's collaborating with the communities that we serve to identify needs and solutions.

Learn more about our history .

Local Real-Time Air Quality Data For Greater Springfield

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 13:38:00 GMT

Sarita Hudson spoke with Paul Tuthill from WAMC Northeast Public Radio about the Pioneer Valley Healthy Air Project's new interactive air-quality website, pvhealthyair.org .

Listen now!

"...ensure every corner of our city is strongly represented."

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 17:08:00 GMT

Learn how Joshua A. Garcia, Mayor of Holyoke, is using resources in our Race and Health Equity Resource Guide.

Check out PHIWM's matrix on board membership .

Recording Posted: COVID Community Impact Survey Data to Action Webinar

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 17:49:00 GMT

This webinar explores resources available to community-based organizations in Massachusetts in support of data-driven action based on the COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS). Hear from representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Health Resources in Action, and the CCIS Regional TA Providers, including Kathleen Szegda and Victoria Ramos from the Public Health Institute of Western MA, as they share an overview of the CCIS, as well as:

What resources are available to community-based organizations, including technical assistance;
How to access technical assistance to help transform data into action; and
Real-life examples of the process with an organization supported by the CCIS Regional TA Providers through accessing, analyzing, and applying data.

Listeners will increase their awareness of CCIS data, resources, and technical assistance available to them.

PHIWM to Present HIA at Criminal Record Expungement & Sealing Virtual Event

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Join us on April 6, 2022, from 12:30-4:30 pm for a Criminal Record (CORI) Expungement & Sealing Virtual Event. This event is hosted by a coalition of nonprofits, cannabis industry professionals, and the Center for Social Justice at Western New England University School of Law. The event is free and open to the public.

As part of the event, Dr. Kathleen Szegda of PHIWM, Richard Johnson of New North Citizens' Council, and Lamont Scott of Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) will present the Health Impact Assessment about Healthy Aging with a Criminal Record in Hampden County MA . If you join via zoom, you can meet with a lawyer for free to discuss your case.

Request your CORI

What is Public Health?

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:44:00 GMT

We often get asked, “What is Public Health?”. Over the next few weeks, in light of National Public Health Week , we will be sharing content to try to answer that question.

Public health is about preventing illness and promoting health. Public health is concerned with the health of the population as a whole. It can take so many forms because our health is impacted by so many things. In this short video, we describe the many factors that influence one's health. Where we live, what we eat, our relationships, and societal factors around us- these all impact our health.

Building a culture of health in the era of climate change

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 23:34:00 GMT

Read Samantha Hamilton's recent Op-Ed in the Daily Climate.

Climate change affects all Americans, but people of color and low-income communities are hit first and worst . For Emma Woods of Springfield, Massachusetts, this wasn’t news.

Woods’ working class, predominantly African American and Latinx neighbors already suffer from higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and diabetes than those in whiter, wealthier areas. In 2018-2019, Springfield ranked as the asthma capital of the U.S., according to the Asthma Allergy Foundation of America , and it now has twelfth-highest asthma rates in the nation.

Worse, as the planet warms, neighborhoods like Woods’ are seeing more air pollution, deadly heat waves, and disruptive disasters—further widening those health disparities. Climate change c an exacerbate health effects from toxic air pollutants in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with asthma or cardiovascular disease.

Yet the communities most affected by environmental hazards are rarely engaged in decision making that affects their lives and health. That’s why Woods and her neighbors are stepping up. Together, they formed a coalition called Live Well Springfield , which is working to build and sustain a culture of health in the era of climate change.

With more than 30 organizational partners , Live Well Springfield embraces a broad definition of health that includes nutrition, active living, the built environment, economic opportunity, housing, and education. The Coalition’s Climate Justice Initiative addresses climate change and health equity, with funding from the Detroit-based Kresge Foundation.

Read the full article .

Cuts to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination worry health care leaders

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 21:48:00 GMT

In this recent Boston Globe article, Jessica Collins and other Massachusetts health care leaders share concerns about the cutbacks in COVID services and funding.

Collins is concerned the state and federal cutbacks in COVID services and funding will leave Massachusetts and the country flat-footed, should there be another surge in infections and hospitalizations.

“What’s the plan for ramping back up? Will they be using an equity-based model, with people welcome to come in, no questions asked and no insurance needed?” she said. “Don’t make us refight that equity conversation.”

Read the full article

"Don't look away!"

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 14:58:00 GMT

Read what Nikki Burnett, Executive Director at Educare Springfield, has to say about PHIWM's Race and Health Equity Resource Guide.

COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS) Data to Action Webinar, 3/16 at 2pm

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Please join representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Health Resources in Action, and the COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS) Regional TA Providers for a Data to Action Webinar on March 16 from 2-3 PM. Webinar attendees will be able to increase their awareness of what CCIS data and other resources are available online, build relationships with regional TA providers, and learn more about what the TA process is and can offer. Please register in advance for this event.

The Public Health Institute of Western MA is the TA provider for the Western MA region. Dr. Kathleen Szegda and Victoria Ramos will present at this webinar.

New Report! Five Years as the Public Health Institute of Western MA

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:48:00 GMT

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts typically publishes reports on particular health issues and not ourselves. However, we often are asked about our regional reach, funding sources, partnership structures, and the scope of our work. In this report, we aim to answer some of these questions as we reflect on the past five years as the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. We also hope this report serves as a baseline for future annual reports.

Sarita Hudson speaks about 413Cares on Mass Appeal

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:50:00 GMT

Sarita Hudson spoke about 413Cares on Mass Appeal yesterday. Watch now to learn more about this innovative community portal that provides online access for residents of Western Massachusetts to available resources.

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: Tips for Having Conversations with Unvaccinated People

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:02:00 GMT

Learn tips for having conversations with unvaccinated people. These tips were created with advice from Doris Harris, Public Health Consultant and host of Health Matters , as well as information from the We Can Do This campaign . Thank you to Valley Eye radio for recording this PSA!

Learn more about addressing vaccine hesitancy
Listen to Health Matters radio show
Listen to Valley Eye radio

Samantha Hamilton presented at the Resistance Center for Peace and Justice 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:36:00 GMT

Watch the recording from the Resistance Center for Peace and Justice's 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration . Speakers included Live Well Springfield Coalition Manager Samantha Hamilton , Rhonda Anderson, Western Massachusetts Commissioner on Indian Affairs and Co-Director of the Ohketeau Cultural Center, Northampton City Councilor Jamila Gore, and more!

Watch Now!

Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 15:53:00 GMT

Based on best available data as of 1/13/2022

Download a PDF of the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard

Community-Level COVID-19 Data Over Time

Based on best available data as of 1/13/2022

Hospital Capacity by Region

Based on best available data as of 1/13/2022

COVID-19 Vaccine

Based on best available data as of 1/13/22

Percentage of Eligible Individuals (5+) with at Least One Vaccine Dose Administered by County of Resident Address

Percentage of Eligible Individuals (5+) Fully Vaccinated by County of Resident Address

Percentage of All Individuals with at Least One Vaccine Dose within Each Race/Ethnic Group by County of Resident Address

Municipal Vaccine Data

COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative Data Dashboard : View vaccination data for select cities in MA.
Massachusetts COVID-19 vaccination data and updates : View state, county, and city-level data, as well as updates about the COVID-19 vaccine in MA.

Data Sources and Notes

Sources:
MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report. Current two week data is from most recent Public Health Report. Prior two week data is from prior week’s Public Health Report. Please note that there is an overlap in periods as MDPH reports weekly on rolling two week reporting periods, which they use for their comparisons. We report data in this way to be consistent with MDPH reporting.
MDPH COVID-19 Daily Dashboard . Date corresponding to most recent MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report.
MDPH COVID-19 Interactive Data Dashboard
MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report
Comparisons to previous two-week period : Symbols indicate change when compared to prior two-week period. For new cases, incidence per 100,000, and total tests: Higher (upward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is higher than the prior period. Lower (downward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is lower than prior two-week period. No change (equal sign) means the number in the current two-week period is the same as the prior period. For percent positivity: less than 0.10% difference in the percent positivity is considered No change (equal sign).
Race and ethnicity data by county and community is not available at this time.
Change in reporting: MDPH changed their reporting of county data on 8/12/20. Previously, county cases were in the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard report and included probable and confirmed cases. Beginning 8/12/20, county data is now reported in the Weekly COVID-19 report and cases only include confirmed cases. Thus, we are not currently able to show new case county-level data and other county-level data over time for periods prior to 8/12/20.

Dr. Kathleen Szegda to present at virtual workshop "Building Community-Academic Research Partnerships"

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Kathleen Szegda , PhD, MS, MPH, will be presenting along with Bettye Anderson Frederic, RN, MSN, and Sarah Goff, MD, PhD, at a virtual workshop hosted by UMass Medical School's Center for Clinical and Translational Science. This workshop, which takes place on January 13th and January 20th, offers attendees pragmatic approaches to building and sustaining mutually beneficial community-academic research partnerships that apply health equity and anti-racism lenses to the shared work.

Learn more and register.

Recording Posted of 12/8 Presentation- Health Impact Assessment of Older Adults Accessing Housing with CORIs

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:59:10 GMT

Having a criminal record (CORI) creates barriers for older adults and others who are trying to access affordable housing. On December 8th, 2021 Live Well Springfield, the Public Health Institute of Western MA, MOCHA's Lamont Scott, and New North Citizens' Council's Richard Johnson hosted a presentation to share findings and recommendations from our recent health impact assessment about the use of Criminal Offender Registration Information (CORIs) in housing decisions.

The presentation provided residents and partners with an overview of the Health Impact Assessment process, key results, recommendations for policy and systems change, and resources available through Community Legal Aid and Way Finders.

Livability is a critical principle in the Age-Friendly community, and CORIs have impacted how we live and age well.

Recording Now Available from 11/20 Webinar about Changes to the MA COVID-19 Metrics

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:47:10 GMT

Access the recording from our 11/20/2020 webinar about changes to the Massachusetts' community risk categorization metrics. This webinar explores how the metrics have changed, how they are being used, and questions that have arisen.

This event was moderated by Joshua Garcia, MPA, who is the Town Administrator of Blandford and serves on our Board of Directors.

Speakers included:

Dr. Kathleen Szegda – Public Health Institute of Western MA
State Representative Mindy Domb, 3rd Hampshire District
Laura Kittross – Berkshire Regional Planning Council
Jasmine Naylor –Caring Health Center
Phoebe Walker – Franklin Regional Council of Governments

Recording now available from 9/18 Webinar: Using the Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 00:27:21 GMT

The recording is now available from the 9/18/2020 Webinar: Using the Western Massachusetts COVID-19 Data Dashboard :

video recording

audio only

Learn more about the dashboard and how folks around the region are using COVID-19 data to inform decisions. The dashboard is designed to present COVID-19 data in a way that is accessible to decision-makers and the public in our region. Access to up-to-date COVID-19 data is critical to inform communities, schools, businesses, legislators, governments, health departments and organizations to take action to meet the needs of the communities they serve while maintaining safety. Local data is particularly needed given the unique mix of rural, suburban and urban communities here.

The webinar was opened by our Executive Director Jessica Collins , and moderated by Dr. Cristina Huebner-Torres , our Board Chair and Vice President of Population Health and Research at Caring Health Center. A presention by Dr. Kathleen Szegda , Director of Community Research and Evaluation, was followed by panel discussion about how people are using COVID-19 data to inform decisons as well as challenges encountered. Panelists included: State Representative Mindy Domb from Amherst; Gail Gramarossa , MPH, from Collaborative for Educational Services and also representing the Ware region; and Meg Burch, MS, RN, school nurse leader and epidemiologist from Frontier School Regional District in Franklin County/Franklin Regional Council of Governments. Learn more about the speakers .

Webinar: Using the Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard, 9/18 at 12:00pm

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 00:24:07 GMT

Please join PHIWM and Representative Mindy Domb to learn more about the Western Massachusetts COVID-19 Data Dashboard . The Dashboard is designed to present COVID-19 data in a way that is accessible to decision-makers and the public in our region. Access to up-to-date COVID-19 data is critical to inform communities, schools, businesses, legislators, governments, health departments and organizations to take action to meet the needs of the communities they serve while maintaining safety. Local data is particularly needed given the unique mix of rural, suburban and urban communities here.

The webinar will be opened by our Executive Director Jessica Collins . Dr. Cristina Huebner-Torres , our Board Chair and Vice President of Population Health and Research at Caring Health Center will be the moderator. Dr. Kathleen Szegda , PHIWM’s Director of Community Research and Evaluation, will present the Dashboard. The presentation will be followed by panel discussion about how people are using COVID-19 data to inform decisons as well as challenges encountered. Panelists include: State Representative Mindy Domb from Amherst; Gail Gramarossa , MPH, from Collaborative for Educational Services and also representing the Ware region; and Meg Burch, MS, RN, school nurse leader and epidemiologist from Frontier School Regional District in Franklin County/Franklin Regional Council of Governments. Learn more about the speakers .

Join us via Zoom!

Friday, September 18, 2020, 12-1 PM

Dr. Kathleen Szegda presented at COVID Coordination Roundtable in Franklin County

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 06:10:45 GMT

Dr. Kathleen Szedga , Director of Community Research and Evaluation, presented on Monday about the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard at the Franklin Regional Council of Governments COVID Coordination Roundtable.

Rates in Franklin County have remained fairly steady. Attendees expressed concerns about how the increase in testing by schools will impact positivity rate for the entire county.

Dr. Szegda noted, "There are so many contextual factors that are really important to understand this data."

Read the full article in the Greenfield Recorder, 9/15/2020

Relatively Low COVID-19 Rates at the Five Colleges

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:09:21 GMT

Dr. Kathleen Szegda , Director of the Community Research and Evaluation at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, was quoted in 9/14/2020 article that appeared in the Hampshire Daily Gazette about relatively low COVID-19 rates at the Five Colleges.

According to the article, the Five Colleges reported a total of 20 confirmed cases as of Monday, and UMass reported a 0.04% overall positivity rate for COVID-19 tests so far.

Dr. Szegda is quoted saying, “I think that the rates are low, but it’s important to remain cautious and vigilant and to promote the prevention methods". It is critical that students continue to practice preventative measures, such as physical distancing and wearing masks. Dr. Szegda also noted that we will have to see what happens to the numbers since students only just recently returned.

Read the full article.

Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard 9/5/2020

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 06:08:09 GMT

Download a PDF of the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard .

Data Sources and Notes

Sources: MDPH, 9/9, 9/2 and 8/26 COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report & COVID-19 Daily Dashboard, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

Comparisons to previous two-week period: Symbols indicate change when compared to prior two-week period. For new cases, incidence per 100,000, and total tests: Higher (upward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is higher than the prior period. Lower (downward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is lower than prior two-week period. No change (equal sign) means the number in the current two-week period is the same as the prior period. For percent positivity: less than 0.10% difference in the percent positivity is considered No change (equal sign). Please note that two-week periods overlap to be consistent with how the state presents and compares COVID-19 county data overtime in their weekly reports.

Race and ethnicity data by county and community is not available at this time.

Change in reporting: MDPH changed their reporting of county data on 8/12/20. Previously, county cases were in the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard report and included probable and confirmed cases. Beginning 8/12/20, county data is now reported in the Weekly COVID-19 report and cases only include confirmed cases. Thus, we are not currently able to show new case county-level data and other county-level data over time for periods prior to 8/12/20.

Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 00:20:13 GMT

Download a PDF of the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard .

Data Sources and Notes

Sources: MDPH, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting
MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report. Current two week data is from most recent Public Health Report. Prior two week data is from prior week’s Public Health Report. Please note that there is an overlap in periods as MDPH reports weekly on rolling two week reporting periods, which they use for their comparisons. We report data in this way to be consistent with MDPH reporting.
MDPH COVID-19 Daily Dashboard. Date corresponding to most recent MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report.
Comparisons to previous two-week period: Symbols indicate change when compared to prior two-week period. For new cases, incidence per 100,000, and total tests: Higher (upward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is higher than the prior period. Lower (downward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is lower than prior two-week period. No change (equal sign) means the number in the current two-week period is the same as the prior period. For percent positivity: less than 0.10% difference in the percent positivity is considered No change (equal sign).

Race and ethnicity data by county and community is not available at this time.

Change in reporting: MDPH changed their reporting of county data on 8/12/20. Previously, county cases were in the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard report and included probable and confirmed cases. Beginning 8/12/20, county data is now reported in the Weekly COVID-19 report and cases only include confirmed cases. Thus, we are not currently able to show new case county-level data and other county-level data over time for periods prior to 8/12/20.

Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard 8/29/2020

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 05:56:32 GMT

Download a PDF of the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard .

Data Sources: MDPH, 9/2 and 8/26 COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report & COVID-19 Daily Dashboard, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

Note about comparisons to previous two-week period: Symbols indicate change when compared to prior two-week period. For new cases, incidence per 100,000, and total tests: Higher (upward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is higher than the prior period. Lower (downward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is lower than prior two-week period. No change (equal sign) means the number in the current two-week period is the same as the prior period. For percent positivity: less than 0.10% difference in the percent positivity is considered No change (equal sign)

Please note, race and ethnicity data by county and community is not available at this time.

Note: MDPH changed their reporting of county data on 8/12/20. Previously, county cases were in the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard report and included probable and confirmed cases. Beginning 8/12/20, county data is now reported in the Weekly COVID-19 report and cases only include confirmed cases. Thus, we are not currently able to show new case county-level data and other county-level data over time for periods prior to 8/12/20.

New COVID-19 County Data Dashboard for Western MA

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 05:54:37 GMT

The pandemic has made it difficult to make decisions about returning to school, visiting loved ones, traveling within the state, and more. We've created a COVID-19 County Data Dashboard for Western MA in hopes that this will help guide some of the decisions people may be grappling with. To create the Dashboard, we used publicly available COVID-19 data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health . We've attempted to cull out was most useful to people in their decision-making and present it in what we hope is a compelling and user-friendly format.

We aim to update our dashboard weekly on Thursday mornings. Our dashboard will evolve based on the changing availability of data as well as your feedback.

In the News

Daily Hampshire Gazette, 8/25/2020 https://www.gazettenet.com/WesternMACovid-hg-082520-35892472

Greenfield Recorder, 8/27/2020 https://www.recorder.com/New-COVID-19-dashboard-for-Western-Mass-unveiled-35927177

Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard 8/22/2020

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 05:52:49 GMT

Download a PDF of the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard .

Data Sources: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

County & state data (except cumulative death data) from MDPH COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report: data for last two weeks (8/9-8/22) pulled from 8/26/2020 report ; prior two week period (8/2-8/15) pulled from 8/19/20 report .

Cumulative death data from MDPH COVID-19 Daily Dashboard 8/26/2020 .

Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard 8/15/2020

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 05:50:40 GMT

Download a PDF of the Western MA COVID-19 County Data Dashboard .

Data Sources:

County & state data (except state death data) from MDPH COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report: data for 8/2-8/15 pulled from 8/19/20 report ; prior two week period (7/26-8/8) pulled from 8/12/20 report .

State death and all cumulative death data from MDPH COVID-19 Daily Dashboard 8/19/20 .

COVID-19 County Data and Community Maps

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 05:42:36 GMT

The following slideshow includes:

County Data

New COVID-19 cases by week by Western MA county as of 8/5/20 (*Note – The state changed how they reported county case data on 8/12/20 so that data was not included in charts. Previously, cases included confirmed and probable cases. Starting on 8/12/20, it only included confirmed cases.)

COVID-19 Testing Data - Total number of tests performed (cumulative) and percent positive tests in the last two weeks as of 8/12/20

Number of COVID-19 Deaths as of 8/5/20

MDPH Community Data Maps

New COVID-19 Cases - Daily incidence rates per 100,000 for previous two weeks (7/26 – 8/8/20)

COVID-19 Testing Data - Testing rate (PCR only) per 100,000 and percent positive tests (PCR only) over last two weeks (7/26-8/8/20)

Sources: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

County case and death data - Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard Raw Data – August 12, 2020

County testing data - MDPH Weekly Public Health Report - Raw Data - August 12, 2020

Community Maps - MDPH Weekly Public Health Report - - August 12, 2020

Live Well Springfield Delivered Care Packages to Older Adults

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 05:48:41 GMT

During this pandemic, there is a significant struggle for individuals and families to see loved ones. It is especially challenging for high-risk folks like older adults and individuals with chronic health issues. Long weeks and months at home, often alone, can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Even before the pandemic nearly 1 in 5 Americans 65 and older were socially isolated, according to AARP Foundation . With the pandemic, even older adults with family and community connections are experiencing isolation and anxiety, especially with senior centers and other activities still closed.

For this reason, the Live Well Springfield’s Age-Friendly Coalition created social isolation care packages for older adults and families living in Springfield. These care packages are a small reminder to residents that they are not alone during these tough times. The social isolation care packages, filled with community resources, activity books, care essentials, and PPE equipment, are a pilot project of the Age-Friendly Initiative to combat social isolation. Community health workers report positive responses: one patient sent a photo of the game of checkers and said, “Thanks for the games- we’re doing something different!” Another resident from the Springfield Elder Affairs said, "That bag was awesome. There was something in there for everybody--It contained stuff for everyone in the family."

With support from our funders, Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Trinity Health, Live Well Springfield’s Age Friendly Initiative and Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market, were able to pivot our programming to purchase and distribute these care items along with the fresh produce boxes as part of the Go Fresh Emergency Food Distribution. UMass Extension provided bags and resources, Greater Springfield Senior Services provided information about older adult services, Ener-G-Save provided cooling guards, and Serenity Care PACE provided 1,200 gloves and masks for the kits. Wellspring Cooperative delivered the packages to the Go Fresh site coordinators located at Linden Towers, Independence House, Colonial Estates, Riverview Senior Center and Springfield Department of Elder Affairs, and to our community partners including Baystate Health Geriatrics, Mass Senior Action, and Healthy Homes Asthma Program. Altogether we distributed 300 care packages.

The Age-Friendly Coalition recognizes that care items are just one of the many ways we can support older adults and families and will continue to advocate for more ways to help residents during this pandemic. For more information about the Age-Friendly Coalition or to become a member, please contact Samantha Hamilton , Live Well Springfield Manager.

PHIWM Calls for HIA to Inform Decision about Closing Holyoke Medical Center Birthing Center

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 05:33:54 GMT

How do we ensure that are healthcare system thrives financially, while also providing services that reduce health inequities? Holyoke Medical Center wanting to close its award winning Birthing Center is just one example of a larger looming challenge in our state—the need for hospitals to cut services for financial reasons, but risking the ability to provide for the most vulnerable.

PHIWM recommended to the MA Department of Public Health that before any decision like this is made, a Health Impact Assessment should be conducted. Both side can argue passionately and compellingly, however, what is the true impact of a decision? It must be assessed.

A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a research and public engagement process designed to make predictions about how a policy or practice change would impact health and equity. HIAs engage people across silos in a process of deep discussion, bringing data and evidence into the conversation. Check out our Western MA Casino Health Impact Assessment to learn more about HIA.

One People, One House: We all need to 'stretch' to bring about lasting change

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 05:32:31 GMT

PHIWM board member and Executive Director of Educare Springfield Nikki Burnett wrote an op-ed as part of the Republican's One People, One House community dialogue series sharing perspectives on the issues of racism and policing.

Read the full article .

2 Western MA COVID testing sites welcomed, but some say more needed in region

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:30:58 GMT

The Baker-Polito Administration has expanded free COVID-19 testing to 8 more sites, including 2 in Western MA. Some say the region needs more testing access.

"Western Mass. is a large area, and as we know, many people in our region rely on public transportation, so we have to be really thoughtful about spreading out testing sites around our large geographic area," said Jessica Collins, executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. "For someone from Pittsfield to have to go to Agawam or Springfield, that is not an easy thing to do."

Read the full article from the Berkshire Eagle.

Go Fresh Emergency Food Distribution Awarded Grant

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:29:10 GMT

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced new grants totaling $725,000 to 26 local nonprofits through the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley, targeting employment assistance, food insecurity, homelessness and foreclosure prevention, and other immediate needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Go Fresh Emergency Food Distribution program received a $50,000 grant to continue its Emergency Food Distribution Program which is delivering free fresh produce boxes to older adults and families at housing, senior center, daycare and healthcare sites in Springfield. The program has been delivering boxes of fresh produce twice a month to 130 older adults and families in Springfield with 1,442 boxes of fresh produce delivered to date. Additional funders for the program are Trinity Health Transforming Communities Initiative, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Beveridge Family Foundation, Health New England, Beacon Communities, Baystate Health and BMCHealthnet.

The program is a collaboration with Wellspring Cooperative which enabled us to quickly and safely get this program up and running by providing a location to store and sort the produce. Additional community partners include Mass Senior Action Springfield Chapter, Baystate Geriatrics House Calls Program, City of Springfield Department of Elder Affairs, the Springfield Healthy Homes Asthma program, Springfield Housing Authority, Beacon Communities, Caring Health Center, and Square One. We are recruiting other healthcare and agency partners to assist in deliveries. For more information on partnerships with the program, please contact Samantha Hamilton , Live Well Springfield Manager.

COVID-19 in Western MA

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:27:39 GMT

As of July 26, 2020, there were 9,412 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases and 917 COVID-19 confirmed or suspected deaths in Western Massachusetts.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/archive-of-covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts#july-2020-

The number of new COVID-19 cases each week in Western Massachusetts has remained fairly steady since the beginning of June, with less than 200 new cases each week. The graph below shows the number of new COVID-19 cases each week in Western MA as well as milestones for the reopening MA .

As stated in previous newsletters, caution should be exercised when interpreting COVID-19 data. For example, the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases is dependent upon who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population. Testing has been limited thus far. Because many people who have the disease are asymptomatic and have not been tested, prevalence of people testing positive is unlikely to reflect the prevalence in communities. As testing and contact tracing increase, we will have a better understanding of impacts on communities and populations, and more targeted actions can take place to mitigate spread and support those who are disproportionately impacted.

To see rates for MA overall, visit Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Data Dashboard . To see data specific to Western MA, check out our data archive .

New COVID cases in Western MA remain fairly steady since June

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 02:11:08 GMT

As COVID-19 surges in some parts of the county, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) reports the rate of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of people with COVID-19 in hospitals is trending in the right direction. MDPH’s COVID-19 Dashboard also shows a decrease in COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations, the percentage of people testing positive, and the number of hospitals using surge capacity since April 15th.

Like the state overall, Western MA has experienced a decrease in new COVID-19 cases since April. The number of new COVID-19 cases each week has remained fairly steady since the beginning of June, with less than 200 new cases each week. The graph below shows the number of new COVID-19 cases each week in Western MA as well as milestones for the reopening of MA .

As stated in previous newsletters, caution should be exercised when interpreting COVID-19 data. For example, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is dependent upon who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population. Testing has been limited thus far. Because many people who have the disease are asymptomatic and have not been tested, prevalence of people testing positive is unlikely to reflect the prevalence in communities. As testing and contact tracing increase, we will have a better understanding of impacts on communities and populations, and more targeted actions can take place to mitigate spread and support those who are disproportionately impacted.

COVID rates continue to decline in MA, but we must remain vigilant

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 02:08:02 GMT

On Monday July 6th, we entered Step One of Phase 3 of reopening . During phase 3, additional industries can resume operation with restrictions and capacity limitations such as fitness centers, movie theaters, and museums. According to MDPH’s COVID-19 Dashboard , COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations, the percentage of people testing positive, and the number of hospitals using surge capacity have all continued to decline. Although MA is faring better than much of the country, it is essential to remain vigilant.

As of July 12, 2020, there were 9,005 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases in Western Massachusetts (105,629 statewide) and 897 COVID-19 confirmed or suspected deaths in Western Massachusetts (8,110 statewide).

Data source: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/archive-of-covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts#may-2020-

As stated in previous newsletters, caution should be exercised when interpreting COVID-19. For example, the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases is dependent upon who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population. Testing has been limited thus far. Because many people who have the disease are asymptomatic and have not been tested, prevalence of people testing positive is unlikely to reflect the prevalence in communities. As testing and contact tracing increase, we will have a better understanding of impacts on communities and populations, and more targeted actions can take place to mitigate spread and support those who are disproportionately impacted.

Free COVID-19 tests roll out. Why are they not offered in Western Massachusetts?

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 02:00:28 GMT

Massachusetts has launched free COVID-19 testing for eight hard-hit communities in the eastern part of the state. While cases are lower in Western Massachusetts, some say the region needs more testing access, too.

Read the full article .

COVID-19’s Impact on Communities of Color

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 01:57:35 GMT

COVID-19’s Impact on Communities of Color

In 2014, the PHIWM released the first Health Equity report under the leadership of our founding Executive Director, Dr. Frank Robinson. We called out the growing understanding that basic human needs (food, housing, education, employment) are the key determinants of health outcomes. Many of the health inequities experienced by communities of color, low-income people, and other vulnerable populations are due to created barriers to basic human needs. These barriers are often rooted in a history of discrimination at the individual, institutional, and government levels. Therefore, we are not surprised about the data reports shared by the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) showing who is more at risk and being impacted more by COVID-19. Painful, but obvious, those burdened already continue to be burdened. For the past months we have watched residents, institutions and government bodies calling out racism as a public health crisis and demanding policy changes to systems such as housing, economic development and criminal justice. Please review the data below and take action.

On June 19th, MA DPH’s COVID-19 Health Equity Advisory group released new data that highlights disparities in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths for different races and ethnicities. According to their analysis , Black and Hispanic/Latinx residents have more than three times a higher positive COVID-19 case rate than White residents. Similarly, Black residents represent 7% of the MA population but account for 14% of COVID-19 cases. Hispanics/Latinx residents represent 12% of the population, but more than twice that proportion of cases (29%).

Hospitalization data also reveal that Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations bear a greater burden of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The rate of hospitalizations for Black residents and Hispanic/Latinx residents is 2.4 times and 1.6 times higher (respectively) than for White residents.

Inequities can also be seen in COVID-19 death data. The age-adjusted death rate is highest among Black residents, followed by Hispanic/Latinx residents. Age-adjusted rates are helpful for comparisons between different race/ethnic groups given differences in the age distribution of these populations.

Graph from Health Equity Advisory Groups Recommendations PowerPoint 6-19-2020, accessed 6/23/2020 from https://www.mass.gov/doc/health-equity-advisory-group-recommendations/download ; Data as of 6/17/2020, Note: Population denominators for rate calculations provided by UMass Donahue Inst. based on Strate S, et al. Small Area Population Estimates for 2011 through 2020, published March 2020 (original report published Oct 2016). Rates are per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. See weights used at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/statnt/statnt20.pdf

Although there are limitations with the data (race/ethnicity is missing or unknown in 35% of cases, 16% of hospitalizations, 2% of deaths as of June 22, 2020 ), the fact that we can see inequities in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths highlights the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and Latinx communities.

The COVID-19 Health Equity Advisory Group is convened by Public Health Commissioner Bharel to generate recommendations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with a health equity lens. The press release lists several key recommendations, including: continuing to disaggregate COVID data across populations and sectors; increasing equitable distribution of PPE for essential workers and residents in professions at most risk; and implementing policies that increase housing stability for populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. See a full list of recommendations from the Health Equity Advisory Group .

Partners across the state and locally are working on efforts to address health and racial inequities, the PHIWM included. Our mission at the PHIWM is to create measurably healthier communities, and our work is centered on health equity . We will continue to amplify advocacy opportunities; use data, research and evaluation to track and highlight inequities; and build partnerships and coalitions to identify and address those structures and policies that allow for inequities.

Visit our COVID-19 Data page to learn more.

Resources expanded for food, housing, COVID-19 services in western Massachusetts

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 01:33:00 GMT

Check out WWLP's coverage of 413Cares partnership with Mass 2-1-1 to provide phone support for those seeking COVID-19 services.

COVID-19 Deaths in Western MA Long-Term Care Facilities COVID-19 Deaths in Western MA Long-Term Care Facilities

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 01:28:26 GMT

In addition to the daily COVID-19 Dashboard, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health also releases a Weekly Public Health Report that consists of more granular information, including city/town-level data, cases and deaths in long-term care facilities, and more.

As of June 10, 2020, COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities accounted for 60% of total deaths in Western MA, with variation from county to county (see table below). This is similar to the rate statewide, where 63% (4671/7454) of probable or confirmed COVID-19 deaths were in Long-Term Care facilities ( MA DPH Daily Dashboard ). This data does not include the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) state-operated facilities and congregate care sites such as Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.

Data about COVID-19 in long-term care facilities is reported by the facility, and it is not clear if it includes probable cases. Thus, it may not be directly comparable to daily case and death data reported by MA DPH, however, it provides a general sense of the impact COVID-19 has had among residents of long-term care facilities.

Data compiled by the Academic Public Health Volunteer Corps from: * https://www.mass.gov/info-details/archive-of-covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts#may-2020- ** https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-june-10-2020/download

Please note that beginning June 1st, MA DPH began reporting both probable and confirmed COVID-19 deaths per CDC guidelines. This change resulted in an increased number of daily and cumulative cases and deaths compared to cases and deaths reported prior to June 1st.

413Cares Collaborates with Mass 2-1-1, Aunt Bertha to Offer Support for Those Seeking COVID-19 Services

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 01:21:36 GMT

Springfield—413Cares.org, the online community resource database recently launched for the Western Massachusetts region, has announced a collaboration with Mass 2-1-1, the statewide free information and referral hotline. The collaboration will provide phone support for those searching for services on the 413Cares portal.

Those searching for food, housing, or other COVID-related services on the 413Cares online portal will see a pop-up box with links to COVID-19 resources and a link to call Mass 2-1-1. This “click-to-call” feature will be incorporated into the 413Cares.org website with the help of Aunt Bertha, which is the national platform that houses 413Cares.org.

The Mass 2-1-1 resource and referral hotline, created by the Council of Massachusetts United Ways, operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Other resource and referral networks in the region and across the state, including Boston Medical Center’s MA Community Resource Directory MASSTHRIVE.org and UMass Memorial Health Care & Reliant Medical Group’s CommunityHELP.net, are also collaborating with Mass 2-1-1 to offer this feature on their portals.

413Cares provides residents the ability to access critical information, resources and referrals to community-serving organizations from one online portal. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts manages the portal that was established with initial funding by Baystate Health.

According to Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, “We are pleased to collaborate with United Way in providing another layer of resources and support for residents of our region on the 413Cares online platform. By adding Mass 2-1-1’s phone-based system, residents of the 413 seeking to speak with someone about services can reach the Call2Talk resource for behavioral health phone support. This online and over-the-phone safety net is providing a critical resource that people need now during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”

Paul Mina, President & CEO of Mass 2-1-1, states, “This new partnership will provide consumers more immediate access to accurate information via the Mass 2-1-1 system 24/7/365 in over 140 languages. In addition, our Call2Talk, mental health and suicide prevention line will be available for emotional support as well.”

As a single online point of contact, 413Cares efficiently connects people in the region to critical services they may need including housing, food and nutrition, healthcare, transportation, early education and more.

The site is expected to serve individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with needs for community resources dramatically increasing due to the crisis.

The development of the resource portal and platform was the result of a community-driven process led by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) and Baystate Health and was soft-launched early in 2020.

413Cares is fully HIPAA compliant, mobile-friendly and can be translated into over 100 languages.

The portal is populated by community-serving organizations in the region “claiming” their listings on 413Cares.org to ensure their program information is accurate and up-to-date, which helps the public find services more efficiently.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts was formed a little over 20 years ago with the goal of building measurably healthier communities using data and its convening power to create collaborative partnerships.

Click here to download a copy of the press release

COVID-19 in Western MA

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 21:11:54 GMT

According to MDPH’s COVID-19 Dashboard , COIVD-19 deaths, hospitalizations, the percentage of people testing positive, and the number of hospitals using surge capacity have all declined since April 15th.

County-level data available on the MDPH website also continue to suggest a decline in COVID-19 deaths in Western MA since April 21st when examining 3-day average number of COVID-19 deaths. As noted in a previous newsletter, it will be important to continue monitoring the data as there could be a resurgence of cases as the state reopens and people begin to congregate more.

Graph created by PHIWM using data from MDPH Archive of COVID-19 data https://www.mass.gov/info-details/archive-of-covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts#may-2020-

Please note that on June 1st, MDPH began reporting both confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. This change will increase the number of cases and deaths reported in Massachusetts.

Reflections on Equity and Privilege as MA Reopens

Wed, 20 May 2020 21:07:51 GMT

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

This week Massachusetts is slowly beginning to reopen through measured strategies. We are at this point because we have all been as diligent as we could at practicing the prevention strategies. We must continue: social distancing, staying home as much as possible, wearing masks when we can’t social distance, and continuing to reach out to neighbors and those that might need some help.

We have become even more aware over the past two months of the inequities that exist in our society and how some communities have been more at risk and have born the burden of deaths of family and friends from COVID 19. I, for example, have been privileged to be able to work from home, help school my children, exercise regularly, and use technology to purchase what I need and to stay in touch with my family and friends So many people don’t have these options, and that fact is something that we must work to change.

I ask that we all continue to be aware of our privileges and use them to help others; take the means and resources that we have to speak out and advocate for those who can’t.

In our region, we see a clear technology divide for so many – COVID 19 has forced us to put in place technology protocols and policies that will live on after (e.g. telehealth, remote working). The situation has shown a light on how important it is for each one of us to have access to 21st century technology – enough minutes to finish a phone conversation with your doctor, Wi-Fi to connect efficiently to your child’s “google classroom” and basic internet to be able to access basic needs and keep in touch with loved ones.

Folks who receive benefits to purchase healthy foods for themselves and their children should be able to purchase their food online like the rest of us and not be forced to go to the grocery store if they feel at risk or might be putting others at risk. We can advocate to change policies like this.

Let’s all stay dedicated to those actions we know keep people safe and healthy, and let’s remain committed to making sure others have what they need to do the same.

You can find the complete reopening strategy at Reopening Massachusetts

The Public Health Institute of Western MA will continue to 1) share best practices on preventing COVID19, 2) highlight where you can find resources, 3) share ways you can advocate for equity for all and 4) publicize the stories and statistics to ensure that we never pretend to “not know” and never forget who is suffering the greatest insult and injury from this horrible virus.

Onward,

Jessica

Statewide COVID-19 deaths on the decline, but we must remain diligent

Wed, 20 May 2020 21:06:13 GMT

On May 18th the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center began providing updates on six key public health indicators to monitor the situation before and during reopening of the state. These metrics can be found on the MDPH Data Dashboard . Metrics include positive test rate, number of individuals who have died from COVID-19, number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, healthcare system readiness, testing capacity, and contract tracing capabilities.

In the last month, COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have been declining across the Commonwealth.

Images from MDPH Data Dashboard https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-may-18-2020/download accessed 5/18/2020

County-level data available on the MDPH website also suggest a decline in COVID-19 deaths in Western Massachusetts since April 21st when examining 3-day average number of COIVD-19 deaths. While this seems promising, it is important to stay vigilant and to continue taking steps to prevent the spread the COVID-19. Visit our COVID-19 Prevention webpage to learn more. As the state begins to reopen, it will be important to monitor the data as there could be a resurgence in cases.

Graph created by PHIWM using data from MDPH Archive of COVID-19 data https://www.mass.gov/info-details/archive-of-covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts#may-2020-

Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market Pivots To Emergency Food Distribution

Tue, 19 May 2020 20:02:59 GMT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market project has pivoted to providing free fresh-produce boxes to older adults at housing and senior-center locations in Springfield.

Funded by the Trinity Health Transforming Communities Initiative, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Beveridge Family Foundation, and Health New England, the Go Fresh emergency food-distribution program is a collaboration with Wellspring Cooperative, which helped get this program up and running by providing a location to store and sort the produce. Read more .

COVID-19 in Western Massachusetts

Thu, 14 May 2020 21:02:08 GMT

As of May 11, 2020, there were 6,225 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Western Massachusetts (78,462 statewide) and 583 COVID-19 deaths in Western Massachusetts (5,108 statewide).

As stated in previous newsletters, caution should be exercised when interpreting COIVID-19. For example, the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases is dependent upon who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population. Testing has been limited thus far. Because many people who have the disease are asymptomatic and have not been tested, prevalence of people testing positive is unlikely to reflect the prevalence in communities. As testing and contact tracing increase, we will have a better understanding of impacts on communities and populations, and more targeted actions can take place to mitigate spread and support those who are disproportionately impacted.

COVID-19 in the Commonwealth

Thu, 07 May 2020 20:59:48 GMT

Massachusetts ranks third in the country for the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases [i] and third for highest number of COVID-19 deaths as of this posting. [ii] MDPH now maintains a COVID-19 Data Dashboard , which provides additional insights about COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. The following data was pulled from their dashboard May 3, 2020 . [iii]

Overall, Western Massachusetts has fewer confirmed cases than much of the eastern part of the state. Of the four counties in Western MA, Hampden County has the highest rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The statewide average age of COVID-19 cases is 53 years, and the average age of cases reported as hospitalized is 69 years.

Hampden County has the highest rate of deaths among confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state. On a statewide level, 59% of COVID-19 deaths (2,368 out of 4,004) were reported in long-term care facilities in Massachusetts. The statewide average age of deaths in confirmed COVID-19 cases 82 years.

Interpreting COIVID-19 data is complex. For example, the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases is dependent upon who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population. Testing has been limited thus far. Because many people who have the disease are asymptomatic and have not been tested, prevalence of people testing positive is unlikely to reflect the prevalence in communities. As testing and contact tracing increase, we will have a better understanding of impacts on communities and populations, and more targeted actions can take place to mitigate spread and support those who are disproportionately impacted.

[i] https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html , accessed 5/4/2020

[ii] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html , accessed 5/6/2020

[iii] https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-may-3-2020/download

COVID, Housing & Health: Legal Questions Answered

Wed, 06 May 2020 20:48:24 GMT

On May 6, the Springfield Healthy Homes Collaborative (SHHC) and Arise for Social Justice held a Facebook Live Event on Housing and Health: What You Need to Know During COVID-19 . Their guest speakers were Jane Edmonstone and Claudia Quintero from Community Legal Aid presenting and addressing questions on everything from evictions on subsidized or private housing to unemployment.

COVID-19 Data By Race And Ethnicity

Fri, 01 May 2020 20:45:48 GMT

The Mass Public Health Association released an updated analysis of COVID-19 data on April 22, 2020 , which showed "per capita, cases for Latinx residents are more than three times that of White residents, while per capita cases for Black residents are more than two-and-a-half times that of White residents".

It is important to examine data to understand racial and ethnic inequities related to COVID-19 so that action can be taken to address inequities. National level data has demonstrated inequities among communities of color and though these inequities likely exist in many places across the country, Massachusetts testing data collected to date should be interpreted cautiously.

Race and ethnicity data was not initially collected for cases so case data being examined has had a large percentage who were missing race and ethnicity data and were classified as “unknown.” In addition, testing has been very limited due to shortages in availability of testing materials and many people who may have had the disease were not able to be tested . Thus , the percent testing positive is dependent on who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population.

Blink Your Light for Healthcare Heroes!

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 20:06:54 GMT

MEDIA ALERT

Contact: Jessica Collins, Executive Director

Public Health Institute of Western MA

(413) 794-7739; JCollins@PublicHealthWM.org

Public Health Institute Launches BLINK YOUR LIGHT for Healthcare Workers; Kicking Off Saturday, 8 p.m.

Springfield – The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM), along with other partners in the region, have announced the launch of BLINK YOUR LIGHT for Healthcare Workers, a campaign that asks everyone in the region to blink a light in their homes, or a light that can be seen by others outside, every night at 8 p.m. for one minute. The campaign will kick off this Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m.

The BLINK YOUR LIGHT campaign will run every night until the state of emergency designated by Governor Baker ends. The effort is aimed to express collective gratitude for all healthcare workers, tirelessly taking care of those most in need in our region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other participating partners include The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; TapestryHealth; Human Service Forum; RainMaker Consulting; Behavioral Health Network (BHN); and Center for Human Development (CHD).

Focusing on Health & Equity in the Midst of COVID-19

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 20:04:27 GMT

Dear Partners and Friends of the Public Health Institute of Western MA,

We are empathetic to the public and those who are trying to do their best to understand the healthiest path forward in order to prevent spread of COVID-19.

PHIWM prioritizes the equity and well-being of our community, region and Commonwealth in accordance with our mission to create measurably healthier communities. Our organization will be telecommuting and if you are part of any of our initiatives we will be sending teleconference and Zoom meeting invitations. The work will continue!

We encourage you to continue to follow good hygiene practices as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

Follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and your local health departments for continued updates daily with current information.

We can ALL help combat the spread of germs and overwhelming sense of anxiety by taking simple steps to protect our own health and boost our immune systems.

simply washing our hands regularly and vigorously, avoiding touching our faces, steering clear of anyone who is sick, avoiding large gatherings/crowds; AND
prioritize well-being in our own lives—specifically good routines of sleep, fresh air, movement, nutrition, and hydration that help us mitigate stress, avoid burnout, and truly recharge.

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing information from the Massachusetts Public Health Association regarding advocacy for how we can ensure policies that support individuals and families that are more at risk for not only being ill, but also are at risk of losing the supports in place that provide basic human needs. These include policies to ensure school meal benefits for healthy food for students and paid leave, as businesses and schools close and work is required at home.

As we worry for ourselves and our own loved ones, we must remember those at greatest risk. Check your local town websites for opportunities to support others.

Stay tuned and stay healthy,

Jessica Collins, Executive Director

BusinessWest and Healthcare News' Third Annual Healthcare Heroes Award

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:00:31 GMT

On Thursday, October 17th, our staff celebrated with Drs Frank Robinson and Cristina Huebner-Torres (not pictured) at BusinessWest and Healthcare News' third annual Healthcare Heroes award. Dr. Robinson was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award and Dr. Huebner Torres received the Innovation in Health/Wellness award.

Both have played an important part in PHIWM's history as Dr. Robinson served as our former Executive Director and Dr. Huebner Torres currently serves on our board.

Kresge Foundation awards $100,000 grant

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 19:58:25 GMT

Kresge Foundation awards $100,000 grant.

The Kresge Foundation awards $100,000 grant to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts to build climate resilience, improve health.

Press release

The Future of Public Service

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 19:56:17 GMT

The UMass Amherst School of Public Policy will kick off the 2019-20 academic year by presenting “The Future of Public Service: A Conversation with Sen. Jo Comerford and Samantha Hamilton,” Thursday, Aug. 29, from 1-2 p.m. at Old Chapel.

For more information or to RSVP, please visit: https://www.umass.edu/spp/news/spp-considers-future-public-service-august-29

Editorial: report reveals county's complex health issues, needs.

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 19:53:04 GMT

Nine percent of Franklin County’s youth who identify as heterosexual have contemplated ending life at one time or another, according to a recent report on the region’s health from a coalition of seven nonprofit hospitals and one insurer. Read more .

Live Well Springfield featured in Tuft Health Plan's Foundation's Annual Report

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 20:34:53 GMT

Check out Live Well Springfield's age-friendly work featured in Reframing Aging, Tufts Health Plan Foundation’s Annual Report !

The stories demonstrate how organizations are reframing and reimagining aging, emphasizing the power of community engagement and the strength of inclusion.

Go Fresh Mobile Farmer's Market 2019 End-of-Season Report

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 20:28:48 GMT

The Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market (Go Fresh) has been serving residents of Springfield since 2011, successfully increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables as a strategy of the Live Well Springfield campaign. Read our 2019 end-of-season report.

2019 Springfield Health Equity Report

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:50:52 GMT

Focus Springfield Community TV's video of health equity report release .

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jessica Collins, Executive Director
Public Health Institute of Western MA

(413) 794-7739; JCollins@PublicHealthWM.org

Springfield Health Equity Report:
Looking at Health Through Race and Ethnicity
Resources and Economic Opportunities Needed to Achieve Equity/Improve Health

Springfield— The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) 2019 Springfield Health Equity Report: Looking at Health through Race and Ethnicity , shows that Black and Latino/a populations still lag behind their White counterparts when considering health outcomes, such as premature mortality, maternal and child health and chronic disease.

The Report comes five years since PHIWM’s initial Springfield Health Equity Report in 2014 and highlights health inequities from a racial and ethnic perspective. The data examines social and economic factors that impact health among communities of color in Springfield and the resulting inequities.

Some of the findings from the report:

Springfield continues to have one of the highest premature mortality rates in Massachusetts, 56% greater than that of Massachusetts as a whole; the lowest life expectancy of 70.3 years was found in an area of Springfield’s Metro Center neighborhood.
Black women experience the highest rates of preterm birth (12.6%), and Black and Latino/a women both experience higher rates of low birth weight (Black – 12.9%; Latino/a – 9.5%) than White women (preterm birth – 9.5%; low birth weight – 7.6%).
Despite significant gains in recent years to lower the teen birth rate in Springfield, which has declined by 69% between 2006 and 2016, Springfield continues to have a teen birth rate that is nearly three times higher than Massachusetts as a whole; Latino/a teens continued to have the highest teen birth rate in Springfield, at rates almost 6 times that of White teens.
Latino/a resident visited the emergency room for asthma-related complications at a rate nearly five times that of White Springfield residents, while Black residents had rates double that of White residents. Children ages 0-14 also experienced these inequities with the highest rates among Latino/a children with rates double those of White children.
People of color in Springfield were at disproportionate risk of being admitted to the hospital for cardiovascular disease. Latino/a residents were admitted at a rate 70% greater than that of White residents, while Black Springfield residents were admitted at a rate 40% greater than that of White residents.
Springfield residents experienced rates double those of the State for morbidity from diabetes. Latino/a and Black Springfield residents were hospitalized for diabetes at a rate more than twice that of White Springfield residents

Health equity means that all people have the opportunity to reach their highest level of health possible. Where individuals live, work, go to school and play substantially impact the ability to be healthy.

The report’s April release comes during Public Health Month, celebrated by the City of Springfield’s Health and Human Services Department for over twenty years.

Sponsor the Go Fresh Mobile Farmer's Market's 9th year of bringing fresh produce straight from local farms to our community!

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:45:39 GMT

The Go Fresh Mobile Farmers’ Market brings healthy, affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods in Springfield. This fresh food directly supports the health and well-being of community residents. Here are some key points for supporting Go Fresh:

Go Fresh is an important access point for Springfield residents who have either have run out of food or worry they will run out of food.
It is one of only four Healthy Incentive Program vendors in Springfield which allows residents who receive SNAP benefits to double the amount of fruits and vegetables that they can purchase.
We serve 14 stops in 11 of the 17 Springfield neighborhoods, many of which are considered “food deserts” by the USDA.
Go Fresh accepts vouchers for seniors and low-income families that might not qualify for SNAP.
These food program efforts increase family purchasing power and ensure more local fresh produce reaches more dinner tables across Springfield.
UMASS Extension Nutrition Education Program provides nutrition education and food demonstrations.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM), manages Go Fresh in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Springfield which oversees daily operations. Our Advisory Committee includes representatives from city departments, local farms, health centers, and community organizations. The 2019 season will run for 18 weeks starting July through November.

With your sponsorship, Go Fresh Springfield will be able to increase the number of residents/families served, keep the fresh local produce at affordable prices, continue to provide incentives for Springfield residents and maintain the market’s daily operations.

Harvest – $10,000 - Your LOGO on the SIDE of the Go Fresh Bus and in promotional materials, websites, social media, press packets
Crop - $5,000 - Your LOGO on the back of the Go Fresh Bus with other partners and in promotional materials, websites, social media, press packets
Garden - $2,000 - Your LOGO used in promotional materials, websites, social media, and press packets
Plant - $1,000 - Name on promotional flyer, website, social media, and press packets.
Seed - $500 - Name on website, social media, and press packets.

To Sponsor Go Fresh, please download and fill the form or contact Shirley Rodriguez at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts at 413.794.7739 or email srodriguez@publichealthwm.org .

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

The Go Fresh Advisory Team (Gardening the Community, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Mosque 13, Springfield YMCA, and Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts)

‘It’s really an issue of equity’: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, politicians target air pollution

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 20:43:35 GMT

Read Masslive article by Elizabeth Roman on a meeting held Friday, February 1, 2019, with local legislators and community leaders at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission regarding air pollution.

PHC Becomes Public Health Institute of WM

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 20:28:26 GMT

On January 18, 2018, Partners for a Healthier Community formally launched its new name and brand, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, at an event held in Robyn Newhouse Hall at the Community Music School of Springfield.

According to Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, “Our new name and brand highlight our role in advancing public health for all in our region; it says what we do and how the community and our stakeholders know us. Our logo has evolved into a sun that evokes the collaborative, data-driven and process-oriented organization we are.”

Kathleen Szegda, Director of Community Research & Evaluation presented preliminary data to over 100 attendees from a 2017 Youth Health Survey of 1,277 Springfield eighth graders, which revealed substantial mental health concerns and inequities when disaggregating the data by sex; gender identity and sexual orientation; and race and ethnicity.

Over the 12 months prior to the survey, students who identified as LGBT had more than double the rates of sustained hopelessness (60%) compared to heterosexual students (27%). Female students also experienced double the rates of sustained hopelessness (41%) compared to males (21%). Students who identified as Latino, Multiple Races and Asian reported some of the highest rates of sustained hopelessness (32%, 37% and 41% respectively), compared to 27% of non-Hispanic white students, and 24% of non-Hispanic black students. Overall, when compared to all students in Massachusetts (20%), eighth graders in Springfield, across races/ethnicities, report higher rates of sustained hopelessness.

The Public Health Insitute will convene stakeholders in order to discuss and take action to address these findings. Other initiatives that were reported on include Complete Streets , Springfield Healthy Homes , and the GoFresh Mobile Market.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts was formed, 20 years ago, with the goal of building measurably healthier communities using data and its convening power to create collaborative partnerships and achieve better health for all.

Below is media coverage of our event held on January 18, 2018:

Study: Some Springfield 8th-graders report sadness, thoughts of self-harm; rates higher for LGBT students – MassLive.com, January 19, 2018.

Community health organization announces new name – WAMC, January 19, 2018

Partners for a Healthier Community is now the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts – WWLP, January 18, 2018.

Bridging Health Care and Social Services: How Do We Get It Right?

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:40:51 GMT

Join the Public Health Institute of Western MA and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation on:

Tuesday, October 16th, from 3 to 5:00 p.m., Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield.

As we hold an engaging public health discussion on the link between health care and social services spending, opportunities and policy options for better addressing the social determinants of health, and views from health care and social services.

Our speakers include:

Lauren A. Taylor, author of The American Health Care Paradox: Why Spending More is Getting Us Less.

Mark Keroack, MD, President and CEO, Baystate Health

A panel discussion with questions and answers will be held with members of the healthcare and social service fields.

View speaker and panelists' bios:

RSVP here

Funded by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.

Tap Into TechSpring "The Social Services Social"

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 19:37:55 GMT

The Public Health Institute of Western MA is excited to partner with TechSpring to bring you The Social Services "Social". At this event you'll learn the preliminary results of our regions Social Services Assessment survey and get an update on new Accountable Care Organization and their work to link with social service agencies. We are pleased that Western Massachusetts leaders have such strong interest in developing stronger connections among social services and healthcare as part of their commitment to our residents. We look forward to sharing the survey results and supporting a process to move efforts forward so everyone will have what they need to lead healthy lives.

RSVP here .

$750,000 Grant to Address Asthma

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 19:34:31 GMT

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) as part of their SHIFT-Care Challenge has awarded Baystate Health Care Alliance/ BeHealthy Partnership ACO a $750,000 grant to expand the Springfield Healthy Homes Asthma Program designed to improve the health and quality of life for people with asthma. The HPC’s SHIFT-Care Challenge grant opportunity is designed to foster innovative care delivery models in Massachusetts that shift the unnecessary delivery of care of complex patients from acute care hospitals to more economical, patient-centered, community-based settings.

In the first collaboration of its kind in Massachusetts, two Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) – BeHealthy Partnership and MercyHealth ACO – will join together with community organizations from the greater Springfield area to refer patients for the Springfield Healthy Homes Asthma Program’s home education and remediation service.

The intervention includes 3-4 home visits for asthma management education and support, distribution of supplies as well as home assessment and repair services for any asthma triggers that are identified. Our partners include:

University of Massachusetts Medical School –Baystate (evaluation)

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (program and data management)

Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition and Green & Healthy Homes Initiative .(advisory committee)

Baystate Medical Center’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department (community health worker home visiting)
Revitalize CDC (lead housing provider)

City of Springfield Office of Housing and Springfield Partners for Community Action (leveraged housing provider)

HealthCare News - Collaboration Receives $750,000 Grant to Address Asthma .

The Go Fresh Mobile Market is Here!

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 19:32:11 GMT

It's Live Well Springfield's eighth season of the Go Fresh Mobile Market with 14 stops across Springfield! The 2018 season began on Tuesday, August 7th, and runs through mid- November.

Thank you to the following supporters for their contributions to the market: STCC Foundation , Trinity Health of New England / Mercy Medical Center , PeoplesBank , Health New England , Davis Foundation , Baystate Health , Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan , Beacon Communities , and the Springfield Housing Authority .

2018 Schedule - English
2018 Schedule - Spanish
2018 Schedule - Russian

PHIWM Featured on inFocus Sunday, March 4th

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 20:30:11 GMT

Watch inFocus segment on Channel 22 that aired Sunday, March 4th, 2018, at noon. PHIWM's Executive Director Jessica Collins spoke about PHIWM's mission and goals and discussed the Springfield 2017 youth mental health survey findings.

Preliminary findings from the 2017 Youth Health Survey

inFocus, TV 22 : Youth health and wellness Sunday, March 4, 12pm

Springfield Schools to Launch Culinary and Nutrition Center

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 20:26:11 GMT

The city broke ground on the center on Dec. 13th, for a 62,000-square-foot facility to be built on Cadwell Drive in Springfield and should be fully operational before the start of the 2019-20 school year. The goal of the Springfield Schools’ Culinary and Nutrition Center is to serve Springfield public schools fresh meals, cooked from scratch as well as create a culinary job training center.

The $21 million project, funded through government and private sources, is being supported by several partners with an interest in food policy, such as the EOS Foundation, Trinity Health, Kendall Foundation, the Public Health Institute of Western MA, and other members of the Live Well Springfield Coalition, especially the Springfield Food Policy Council.

BusinessWest: Springfield Schools to Launch Culinary and Nutrition Center

PHIWM Receives RWJF Grant to Study Springfield's Complete Street Plan

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:24:08 GMT

PHIWM has received one of only nine national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Policies for Action Grant to study Springfield's Complete Streets policy. "Complete Streets" refer to policies that support roadways that are designed and operated for the safety of everyone using it—whether by car or bike, foot or bus. PHIWM and Tufts University, led by principal investigators Kathleen Szegda, PhD, MPH, MS, and Erin Hennessy, PhD, MPH, will investigate whether “Complete Streets” policies lead to changes in the built environment, the economic environment, the social environment, and health/health behaviors.

This research is a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods participatory research project using an equity lens. It will holistically examine effects of adoption and implementation of a CS policy on a mid-sized city experiencing numerous health inequities, including how the policy was implemented and the subsequent effects on the built environment, economic outcomes, social environment, health behaviors and health.

We are partnering with LiveWellSpringfield's Transforming Community Initiative as partners on this project and we will engage community residents in data collection (e.g. bike/pedestrian counts) and interpretation efforts.

RWJF Policies for Grants Announcement

RWJF Grant Summary: Understanding Community and Health Impacts of Complete Streets Policies

Springfield's Complete Streets Policy

LiveWell Springfield

Partners for a Healthier Community Nabs Complete Streets Study Grant

Strong, Healthy & Just: Springfield Climate Action and Resilience Plan

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 19:21:16 GMT

Promotion of Energy Audits Kicks off Launch to Springfield's Climate Action and Resilience Plan

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, Mayor Sarno announced Springfield's "Strong, Healthy and Just: Climate Action and Resilience Plan". This plan came together through the participation of hundreds of residents and the hard work of community partners and the Climate Action & Resilience working group, including Pioneer Valley Planning Commission , Public Health Institute of Western MA , Arise for Social Justice and the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition

The city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and the mayor urged residents to take advantage of free home energy audits and financial aid to make their homes more energy efficient.

Interested in a free energy audit? Visit Ener-G-Save for more information. If you receive fuel assistance, please contact Springfield Partners for Community Action .

Masslive: Were thermal images taken of your Springfield house? Look for a postcard in the mail outlining energy-savings plan

News 22: Springfield working to increase efficiency of city homes

Strong, Healthy & Just: Springfield Climate Action and Resilience Plan

PHIWM is working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC ) and Arise for Social Justice on outreach and engagement of residents and key stakeholders. In addition to residents, we will be working to solicit input from leaders of local businesses, academic institutions, and community-based organizations about their concerns, suggestions, and best practices on how to reduce energy use and make Springfield a resilient, healthy city.

After a series of public meetings, the City of Springfield has finalized its climate action plan. The new plan: Strong, Healthy, and Just: Springfield Climate Action and Resilience Plan is available online.

Also, be sure to check out the city's dedicated dashboard at www.ResilientSpringfield.org where you can explore the plan and track its progress.

Stay tuned for events this fall as the implementation of the plan begins.

Background documents:

Final Plan

Learn about the current use of energy and emssions in Springfield
Greenhouse Gas Emission Summary

Find out what neighborhoods and communities are most vulnerable
Social Vulnerability maps
Geographic Vulnerability maps

Learn more about the process

PVPC Climate Action & Resilience Plan background documents

Springfield Climate Justice Coalition

Climate Change Risk Analysis: Assessment of Future Natural Disaster Threats and Impact on Springfield

(Public Health Institute of Western MA, 2015)

Strategies for climate resilience in different sectors:

Businesses

Healthcare

Higher Education

Housing and Development

Transportation

Waste Management & Processing

Utilities

Community Health Needs Assessments

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:14:42 GMT

The Public Health Institute of Western MA was the lead consultant working with Community Health Solutions and Pioneer Valley Planning Commision to implement Community Health Needs Assessments for the ten hospitals and insurer of the Coalition of Western Massachusetts Hospitals. The Coalition is a partnership between ten non-profit hospitals/health plan in Western Massachusetts: Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Wing Hospital, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Holyoke Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center (a member of Sisters of Providence Health System), Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield, and Health New England. Below are links to the reports, which will be posted as they are approved by each hospital/insurer.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Szegda, Director of Community Research and Evaluation .

Community Health Needs Assessments (2016)