ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS: HEALTH

This analysis highlights the disparities in healthcare access across the CRPC region and recommends targeted interventions to address provider shortages, improve health outcomes, and support underserved populations:

Expand Healthcare Access in HPSA-Designated Areas

    • Increase Primary Care Providers: Focus recruitment efforts on parishes with high HPSA FTE scores, such as Livingston and Tangipahoa, to close gaps in healthcare access.
    • Enhance Maternity Care Services: Establish maternity care programs in areas with high MCTA scores, including Pointe Coupee and Washington, to address maternity health shortages.
    • Increase Insurance Coverage
    • Collaborate with local organizations to create affordable insurance options in high-uninsured areas like St. Helena and Pointe Coupee, aiming to reduce healthcare disparities and improve preventive care access.

Address Health Outcomes through Preventive and Emergency Care

    • Implement injury prevention programs in high-risk parishes such as Washington and St. Helena, focusing on road safety and community health education to reduce premature death rates.

Promote Behavioral Health and Wellness

    • Develop public exercise facilities in parishes with low access, such as St. Helena, to combat high obesity rates.
    • Strengthen substance use prevention initiatives in Washington and St. Helena to lower alcohol-related fatalities and improve community health.

Reduce Socioeconomic Disparities

    • Target economic support programs for low-income families in high-poverty parishes like St. Helena and Washington to mitigate socioeconomic determinants of health.
    • Address income inequality in Pointe Coupee and St. Helena through community programs focused on educational and economic opportunities.

The CRPC region faces significant health challenges, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged parishes. Addressing healthcare provider shortages, expanding insurance coverage, and improving access to preventive and emergency care are essential steps toward better health outcomes. By focusing on the recommendations outlined in this report, CRPC can work toward a healthier, more equitable future for its residents.