Our Community: Mid-Hudson Valley
The Mid-Hudson Valley region comprises several small cities and towns including New York’s first capital, Kingston. In addition, the region includes several mountain ranges including the Shawangunk Mountains, and the State University of New York at New Paltz. The area boasts stunning natural beauty and residents will find no shortage of ways to explore and take part in community life.
Unfortunately, lower-income and medically underserved residents of the Mid-Hudson Valley experience greater difficulty accessing health care and higher burdens of chronic diseases and other health conditions. The vast majority of patients served by the Institute of Family Health in this region reside in Ulster and Dutchess counties, where residents are primarily White. However, Hispanic and Asian populations in the Mid-Hudson region are growing at a substantial rate (89% and 69%, respectively) resulting in an increasingly diverse community.
As residents of rural and semi-rural areas, community residents face a number of barriers when accessing healthcare. Many residents are isolated from medical services, and have limited access to transportation. The Institute is one of the only healthcare providers in the region that accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay, and for this reason, it serves a disproportionate number of patients from underserved communities.
Many residents suffer from health problems prevalent in low-income rural and semi-rural areas, including high rates of mental health problems such as depression, alcohol and substance abuse; teen pregnancy and low birth weight babies; and diabetes and hypertension. Each of the Institute’s Mid-Hudson Valley practices addresses many of these issues by providing a full range of primary medical care, mental health, and social services. In addition, many residents trained at the Mid-Hudson Family Practice Residency Program continue to serve the region after graduation.
Citations
- Mid-Hudson Valley Regional Community Health Assessment 2019-2020
- Special Report: Mid-Hudson Region Economic Profile, July 2016
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The Mid-Hudson Valley is home to the Catskill mountain range and many scenic hiking trails and parks. Yet, almost 60% of adults in this New York State region are obese or overweight. In 2016, approximately 75% of adults residing in the Mid-Hudson Valley did not participate in any leisure time physical activity in last 30 days (Mid-Hudson Valley Regional Community Health Assessment, 2019-2020). Photo source
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Many working artists and musicians call the Hudson Valley home, and the region hosts an array of cultural festivals each year. The Institute for Family Health is a proud participant in the O+ Positive Festival, which provides free health care and wellness activities to artists and musicians. Photo source
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The Mid-Hudson Valley is primarily White in its racial makeup, comprising 63.3% of its population. However, Hispanics are the region’s fastest growing racial group, with an 89% increase in population since 2000, making up about 19% of the population (Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles, 2018). Photo source
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The population of the Mid-Hudson Valley Region is aging. Since 2000, residents 85 and older increased by 48% and the 60 to 84 age group increased by 52% illustrating a need for more services designed for the elderly (Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles, 2018). An aging community often leads to higher health care utilization and costs. Photo source
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Despite a higher median household income than New York State in the Mid-Hudson Valley community, 11% of the residents live below the poverty line. Poverty rates are even higher for African Americans and Hispanics, both at 17%, suggesting large income disparities (Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles, 2018). Photo source
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The region reported an increase of 6.7% in homelessness between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, 36.5% of adults in the Mid-Hudson Valley experienced housing insecurity in the last 12 months (Mid-Hudson Valley Regional Community Health Assessment, 2019-2020). Individuals experiencing homelessness are more affected by poor physical and mental health. Photo source
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Child poverty rates have increased to 16% in the Mid-Hudson Valley. These rates are even higher among Black or African American and Hispanic children at 23% and 22%, respectively (Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles, 2018). Photo source
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According to the University of Albany, there is shortage of primary care physicians in rural communities compared to urban areas. Many residents are isolated from medical services, and have limited access to transportation. Photo source
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The rate of low birth weight babies was 6.9% in 2017 (Mid-Hudson Valley Regional Community Health Assessment, 2019-2020). Early prenatal care reduces risk of complications and birthing outcomes. Black or African Americans and Hispanics are less likely than whites to receive early prenatal care. Photo source
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Although farms and farmer’s markets are prominent in the Mid-Hudson Valley region, 26.5% of adults reported eating less than one fruit and less than one vegetable a day in 2016 (Mid-Hudson Valley Regional Community Health Assessment, 2019-2020). Photo source
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The Hudson River is the defining environmental feature of the region. Home to Native Americans as early as 10,000 years ago, the river was explored by Italian sailors in 1524 and then by the English in 1609, after which it became an important travel and trade route for colonists. Extensive pollution during the 20th century inspired a vibrant environmental movement to protect the river and its ecosystems. Photo source
