Lancaster General Health - Partnering with Our Amish Neighbors

Lancaster General Health (LGH) has been building bridges to Lancaster Countyâ€™s Amish settlement for nearly 25 years with outreach programs that respect that unique populationâ€™s traditions and beliefs. Programs include a free child immunization program; educational group meetings for Amish women in their homes; health classes in Amish school houses; farm safety day camps; and programs addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. All efforts are conducted in partnership with leaders from Amish communities.

What is it?

Lancaster General Health (LGH) has been building bridges to Lancaster County’s Amish settlement for nearly 25 years with outreach programs that respect that unique population’s traditions and beliefs. Programs include a free child immunization program; educational group meetings for Amish women in their homes; health classes in Amish school houses; farm safety day camps; and programs addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. All efforts are conducted in partnership with leaders from Amish communities.

Who is it for?

Lancaster County’s Amish population

Why do they do it?

In 1991, a German measles outbreak led bishops in the Amish community to ask LGH for help providing vaccines to their children.

Impact

Since 1991, LGH has immunized 70,000 children, 46 percent from the Amish community. Since 2009, 859 Amish women attended health information gatherings, and 30 women signed up for mammograms. The domestic violence and sexual assault initiatives have provided outreach and education to 425 families.

Contact: Alice Yoder, R.N., M.S.N.
Director, Community Health
Telephone: 717-544-3283
Email: amyoder@lghealth.org

Community Partnerships

Community Connections