ST LAWRENCE COUNTY HEALTH

THE HEALTH INITIATIVE WAS CREATED OUT OF A COLLABORATION BY CANTON-POTSDAM HOSPITAL AND CLAXTON-HEPBURN MEDICAL CENTER. LEADERS FROM THESE INSTITUTIONS BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 200 INDIVIDUALS - REPRESENTING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICE, BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATINO - TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH IN ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. THE STEERING COMMITTEE IDENTIFIED THREE HEALTH PRIORITY AREAS THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED COUNTY-WIDE: ACCESS TO CARE; NUTRITION AND PHYSICIAL ACTIVITY, AND; SUBSTANCE USE, FOCUSING ON YOUTH TOBACCO USE. THE AGENCY WAS INCORPORATED IN 1999 AS A FREE-STANDING 501 (C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO SECURE RESOURCES AND PROGRAMMING TO ADDRESS THE IDENTIFIED PRIORITIES