Reports + Research
Community Information Exchange Phase II Draft Final Report
March 2024
In 2020, a broad group of stakeholders in Maine began a journey to develop a community information exchange (CIE) that would lead to better health for the people of Maine. Four years and a global pandemic later, this initiative has produced the Maine Community Information Exchange (ME CIE), a network connecting healthcare providers and community-based organizations’ efforts to advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and improve overall well-being of people in Maine through information-sharing, standards, resources, and technology.
Phase I of the initiative sought to determine how a CIE could fit within Maine’s existing healthcare and social service systems.
During Phase II, engagement from major health systems, innovative community projects, and health information technology experts grew and understanding around health information tools and existing community collaborations expanded. These developments prompted a refocusing from technology solutions to the coordination, alignment, growth, and support of the existing and burgeoning initiatives arising across Maine through the formal creation of a CIE ecosystem that is supported by consumers and providers.
Access to Care Among Rural Adults in Maine
December 2022
Featuring BRFSS data from 2015 - 2019, this brief discusses the impact factors such as socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and insurance coverage affect health care use in the most rural parts of Maine. It further examines how affordability and availability of care can affect access to timely service use.
Please note data and findings in this brief predate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State of Health in Maine: A 20-year Retrospective
August 2021
In acknowledgment of its 20th anniversary in 2020, the Maine Health Access Foundation collaborated with University of Southern Maine faculty and staff to prepare this review of health and health care access in Maine over the past 20 years. In addition to telling a story about Maine’s demographic and health care landscape, this document provides data to celebrate the state’s accomplishments and identify ongoing and emerging areas of health concern. Some challenges, such as health care affordability, reflect broad national trends as well as Maine-specific concerns. Other data points illustrate disproportionate access challenges experienced by certain members of our communities, including individuals with low income or mental health challenges; those working for small business; Black, Indigenous and other populations of color; and, sexual and gender minorities.
Behavioral Health and Access to Care Among Adults in Maine
February 2021
This brief examines disparities in access to health care services and mental health treatment among Maine adults based on Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from years 2015-2017. The brief compares access to health care services and mental health treatment by self-reported measures of mental health status, specifically respondents’ experiences of depressive symptoms and mentally unhealthy days. In addition, the brief examines access to health care among individuals who report prescription drug misuse and heavy alcohol use.
Key Findings and Recommendations from MeHAF’s 2020 Grantee and Applicant Perception Survey
February 2021
Roughly every five years MeHAF participates in a Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) Grantee and Application Perception Survey. The survey allows MeHAF applicants and grantees the opportunity to give anonymous feedback about their experiences working at every stage of the grant process with MeHAF.
The 2020 report highlights a number of successes as well as opportunities for growth. We were pleased by the overall positive perception of MeHAF as a funder and the positive response to our expanding unrestricted grantmaking. We will also work to respond to suggestions around restructuring our approach to evaluation and deepening our understanding of grantee organizations and communities.
If there are questions about the results feel free to contact us.
Re-imagining Residential Care “Think Group”
December 2020
A Think Group convened by the Maine Health Access Foundation over the course of the past year was tasked with creating a new vision for residential care supporting older adults and individuals with physical disabilities. The group articulated a vision for residential care that includes the following attributes: autonomy for individuals and safety for all, person-centered supports based on individual needs and preferences, home-like environments with private and shared spaces, actual and virtual connections to the community, inclusion of persons with diverse backgrounds and cultures, quality measures that reflect what is important to residents, and continuity and stability as a result of staff retention.
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