Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky to Help Lead New Rural Program that Brings Partners Together to Take On Diabetes and Obesity
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) will serve as a convening partner for Kentucky’s Rural Community Hubs (RCH) for Chronic Care Innovation program, an initiative of Kentucky Rural Health Transformation (KY RHT).
The RCH program is designed to create a more coordinated approach to chronic disease prevention and management in rural communities. An initial priority will be diabetes and obesity, two conditions that significantly affect the health and well-being of Kentuckians. The program will establish Rural Community Hubs across Kentucky's Area Development Districts (ADDs), bringing together local stakeholders around a shared strategy for addressing chronic conditions. By connecting existing resources, strengthening partnerships and supporting community-driven solutions, the RCH program is working to help communities prevent chronic conditions and to improve outcomes for people living with these diseases. As the convening partner, FHKY will help ensure the hubs have the resources they need and that their work aligns with federal funding requirements.
“A strength of the Rural Community Hubs model is that it recognizes communities know themselves best,” said Allison Adams, president and CEO of FHKY. “This is a locally led, state-coordinated effort that will empower communities with the tools, resources and connections needed to create lasting change. The work communities do today has the potential to create better health outcomes for generations to come.”
The program’s phased rollout will begin in the Big Sandy, Lake Cumberland and Purchase ADD regions (see counties listed below), with plans to establish Rural Community Hubs across all of Kentucky’s ADD regions. Hub Lead Organizations will serve as the central coordinating entities for each region, bringing multi-sector partners together, facilitating joint planning and project implementation. The hubs will engage partners across sectors, which may include health care, schools, employers, faith communities, government agencies and community-based organizations.
The need for this coordinated approach is significant. According to the 2025 Kentucky Diabetes Report, diabetes cost Kentucky an estimated $6.1 billion in 2023, and the state’s diabetes mortality rate was 30% greater than the national average.
The RCH program is part of Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation, which is housed within the Kentucky Department of Public Health. KY RHT is a five-year federal investment to reshape health in rural Kentucky. Through five interconnected programs, RHT is tackling some of the challenges that hurt rural communities most: maternal and infant health, dental care, diabetes and chronic disease, mental health crisis response, and emergency services. RHT is working to develop the health care workforce, improve care coordination, and expand access to care so every rural Kentuckian has the opportunity to live their healthiest life and every community can thrive.
Counites per ADD Region
Big Sandy: Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties.
Lake Cumberland: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne counties.
Purchase: Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken counties
Kentucky Rural Health Transformation
This project is 100% funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for a total of $212.9 million in budget year 1 with 100% by CMS/HHS. The RHT grant spans five budget periods aligned with federal fiscal years (FY2026–FY2030). Funding is disbursed annually by CMS based on achievement of performance metrics. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Read more about the CMS Notice of Funding at https://grants.gov/searchresults-detail/360442.