The Rural Cardiovascular Health Initiative (RCHI) is a collaboration between the American College of Cardiology and the JF Maddox Foundation, to improve cardiovascular outcomes in the rural communities of New Mexico.
The 12-month multi-tiered intervention is designed to increase community-wide awareness, engagement and education around heart disease and related risk factors, working closely with local hospitals, community health workers and other key stakeholders (see list below).
RCHI is part of the ACC's broader strategic efforts to address health disparities through comprehensive approaches that include targeted medical interventions and efforts to improve socio-economic conditions, promote health education, and ensure equitable health care services for all communities.
Hear more from Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, FACC, in a Cardiology feature.
Lookin for resources? CardioSmart infographics are visual summaries of heart-related health topics that can be shared as handouts or posters and are useful in care settings local community centers. Find them at Cardiosmart.org/Posters.
Why Lea County, NM?
Cardiovascular health inequities continue to exist in the U.S. and are prominently evident in rural areas like Lea County, NM. The root of these disparities primarily lies in a complex interplay of social determinants of health, including unequal access to health care, disparities in health education, environmental factors and socioeconomic inequities.
Lea County has a population of about 71,000. It's sparsely populated, with about 14 people per square mile. The RCHI is focused on the two city centers: Hobbs and Lovington. While the county is representative of cardiovascular disparities in rural areas, it also has multiple engaged community stakeholders with a vested interest in improving cardiovascular care. This makes Lea County an optimal location for the program.
More About JF Maddox Foundation
The JF Maddox Foundation believes in the people of Lea County. It thinks big, digs deep, and connects the community to cultivate big-picture possibilities that will bring about change and help communities thrive for generations.
The JF Maddox Foundation workswith their grantee partners to overcome challenges and accelerate opportunities in Lea County. They innovate primarily in education, community development, and social services to ensure people are attracted to and thrive. The vision of the JF Maddox Foundation is, "With opportunity for all, Lea County is a place we are proud to call home."
Our family's foundation, the Maddox Foundation, is focused on improving life in southeastern New Mexico, so there was a natural connection between their mission and the RCHI. — Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, FACC
The goal is to provide sustainable, high-quality care that meets the unique cardiovascular needs of rural populations and foster a healthier future for these underserved communities. Through patient advocacy and empowerment, local hospital and community interventions, we hope to develop sound and feasible practices that are effective and scalable in other rural areas. — Melvin R. Echols, MD, FACC
Key Stakeholders
Key Stakeholders
- City of Hobbs
- Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital
- Nor-Lea Regional Hospital District
- New Mexico Junior College
- Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce
- NAACP Hobbs Branch
- Hobbs Juneteenth Coordinators
- New Mexico Department of Health Office of Community Health Workers (NMDOH)
A special acknowledgement goes to the members of the ACC Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Section, especially Section Chair, Eugenia Gianos, MD, FACC, and Immediate Past Chair, Eugene Yang, MD, FACC. This program would not be made possible without the work of our dedicated ACC members.
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