As a result, "The central Maine region is plagued with the dubious distinction of having the poorest health in the state," said Abby Ring, director of the study.

Ring revealed Thursday the results of the survey that took more than a year to compile. The survey was split into three sections: population, demographics and community profiles.

"A person's health is a product of lifestyle choices, environmental resources and socioeconomic factors," said Ring. The study was for identifying needs and gaps in services in order to direct future plans.

The assessment began a year ago when community members from the 13 area towns and three counties that are served by SVH completed anonymous surveys. The study was funded by The Bingham Foundation, the Maine Bureau of Health, Healthy Maine Partnership, The Community Health Partnership, and SVH.

The communities surveyed were Dixmont, St. Albans, Plymouth, Palmyra, Dexter, Burnham, Detroit, Corinna, Hartland, Newport, Canaan, Pittsfield and Etna.

"The return rate was only 1.65 percent," said Ring, but patterns and trends easily could be identified.

Every one of the 13 towns identified jobs and economic development as the biggest needs in their communities. Other issues prioritized by survey respondents included senior services and activities for youth.

A key issue is transportation. "The classic Maine saying, 'You can't get there from here' is all too familiar for residents of the Sebasticook Valley region," said Ring. "The rural nature and the expansive distance from major commercial centers makes transportation a large concern."

Unemployment statistics in the assessment show valley residents generally at a higher level than the national average and median income of valley residents markedly lower.

The survey revealed that Dexter has the most homes with an income of less than $10,000. Newport and Pittsfield also have high numbers of homes that report incomes of $10,000 or less. And Sebasticook Valley has more than seven times the state average of homes without plumbing, the study reported.

The level of residents living below poverty level in the Sebasticook Valley region hovers at 18 percent, with St. Albans and Corinna both having 20 percent, and Newport and Pittsfield having the lowest amount, at 13 percent.

Ring said she is hoping local business leaders and municipal officials will use the assessment's data and conclusions to begin making changes. "We at Sebasticook Valley Hospital are working every day to bring more services to central Maine," said Ring. The assessment, she said, will provide a base upon which SVH and other agencies can measure progress.

"We will update the assessment every two years, thus providing a tool for growth," said Ring.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Saturday, November 22, 2003 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."