The purpose of Albany County Department of Health’s (ACDOH’s) Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans program is to reduce chronic health diseases (e.g. asthma, hypertension, pre-diabetes, diabetes) among priority, at-risk populations in the cities of Albany, Cohoes, and Watervliet communities by establishing a Leadership Team of committed, expert partners to develop and implement an action-driven, evidence-based, and culturally competent Social Determinant of Health (SDOH) Accelerator Plan focused on the built environment and community-clinical linkages.
Chronic diseases and associated risk factors are the leading causes of death and disability in Albany County. The [2022%20Capital%20Region%20Community%20Heath%20Needs%20Assessment]2022 Capital Region Community Heath Needs Assessment and other supporting data indicate that chronic disease rates, and related risk factors, are disproportionately higher among Albany County residents who are lower income, have lower educational attainment, or are of a racial or ethnic minority. Thus, ACDOH defines our priority populations as the cities of Albany, Cohoes, and Watervliet.
ACDOH’s application will reduce chronic disease in community and clinical settings, particularly among priority populations, and achieve the objectives of increasing access to physical activity opportunities and connecting at-risk residents to social support. Through existing activities, partnerships, and coalitions the Albany County Department of Health is well positioned to mobilize its community to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes to prevent and reduce chronic disease. For purposes of the Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans program, ACDOH will incorporate objectives and performance measures into the activities of a Leadership Team connected to the existing Albany County Strategic Alliance for Health (ACSAH) infrastructure. Formed in 2008, ACSAH, previously funded by NYSDOH and CDC, is a coalition that specifically targets underlying risk factors for a variety of chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease) in the at-risk Albany County communities.
