Finding ways to keep our community healthy is vital to improving the quality of life in Lea County. When communities have better access to healthcare and access to support systems that help to create healthy habits, residents are more likely to stay healthy and avoid serious illness.
Fortunately, the JF Maddox Foundation has collaborated with several community partners who have helped to move the needle in a positive direction for health outcomes in our region. With Lea County ranking among the highest in the state for heart disease mortality—and almost double the state average for heart disease diagnoses—we knew we needed to dig in to help find solutions. In partnership with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), we launched the Rural Cardiovascular Health Initiative. This program aimed to not only raise awareness about the disease but also provide increased education for residents on heart disease and its associated risk factors. Additionally, the ACC provided specialized training for community health workers to arm them with tools and resources so they could provide patient education and increase awareness in the communities they serve.
We also supported a separate collaboration with the American Heart Association to help expand the Lifestyle RX Initiative. In partnership with Nor-Lea Hospital District and the Tatum Senior Center, the program will put resources like access to blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle coaching, and community-based education within reach for community members. The initiative will also help to foster meaningful partnerships with hospitals, clinics, community organizations, and public agencies to better serve Lea County.
As we know, living in a rural community can also bring its own set of challenges, especially when recruiting physicians to help care for our residents. Through a $1.5M investment, the foundation helped to develop a pipeline of rural medical providers to serve Lea County. Partnering with the Coalition for Osteopathic Excellence (COE) and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency program was created at Nor-Lea Hospital District and Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital, helping to match medical residency students to opportunities in Lea County. By developing these types of opportunities for BCOM medical students, we can help to strengthen health outcomes and expand access to care for residents in our county.
When we invest in community health, everyone benefits. Healthier people are better able to contribute to their families, schools, and our workforce, helping to build a stronger and more successful Lea County.
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