Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health Director Elise Bur has been selected to serve on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' (MDHHS) Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Hub Advisory Council.
During 2024, communities across Michigan will pilot SDOH Hubs that bring community members, health care professionals, social service providers, government partners and business leaders together to address the social determinants of health and improve health equity. The advisory council will guide the implementation of SDOH Hub pilot projects and develop recommendations for future work, reflecting the perspectives necessary for an inclusive, community-driven approach.
“I'm honored to learn I was selected to serve on the MDHHS Social Determinants of Health Hub Advisory Council, and look forward to continued collaboration with others throughout the state to continue advancing efforts,” Bur said. “I applied for this position for a few reasons: to ensure rural voices are being heard, represented and connected to resources; to assist in developing a model that will support the Community Health Workers we're currently educating and training throughout the region; and to collaborate with others at the state level in systemic work that will result in improving the health and well-being of individuals.”
According to the MDHHS website, SDOH Hub pilot projects will look different in different communities. Local organizations and community members will define exactly how to structure their hubs, what to prioritize and how to spend their resources. MDHHS and contracted partners will provide resources and technical assistance to each SDOH Hub pilot.
Over time, SDOH Hubs aim to achieve the overarching goal of the Roadmap to Healthy Communities: Improve the health and social outcomes of all Michigan residents while working to achieve health equity by eliminating disparities and barriers to social and economic opportunity.
Bur previously participated in a 2022 Health Policy Fellowship at the University of Michigan's Center for Health and Research Transformation. She learned about health policy, health advocacy and the research process, as well as how the three intersect, from outside experts and other fellows.
Bur was appointed in July 2020 as the first director of the NMU Center for Rural Health, which was established to create an integrated health care network that better serves U.P. residents and improves their health outcomes.
Under her guidance, the center's initiatives have included training Community Health Workers, addressing food insecurity, collaborating to strengthen and expand healthcare recruitment and retention efforts, and educating the public about health topics via a monthly U.P. community health town hall virtual webinar series. Annual activities include a National Rural Health Day essay contest and an oral health literacy project.