Based on recent reports from the healthcare sector, an estimated 26 million Americans don’t have access to the medical care they need. This figure spans all ages from infants to the elderly. Furthermore, well over 3,400 areas across the United States have been deemed medically underserved. Due to low incomes, limited access to care providers, and other challenges, people in those areas suffer from a range of issues, including poor nutrition, high infant mortality rates, and high volumes of chronic illnesses to name a few.
Helping Medically Underserved People
Community health focuses on the diverse needs of people who live in underserved areas and beyond. This field of healthcare addresses the barriers that prevent people in those communities from getting the care they need. In doing so, community health and outreach services can make a significant positive difference. They play numerous roles in improving lives on an individual level and from a collective perspective.
Preventive Care
For one, community health programs provide more access to preventive care. That’s one of the main keys to improving people’s health. Unfortunately, many people can’t afford medical care or insurance coverage. Because of that, they forgo preventive care and only seek medical attention when it’s absolutely necessary if even then. At the same time, quite a few people don’t have access to reliable transportation to get to doctor visits. Many also face cultural and language barriers with their local care providers along with other hurdles.
Outreach programs offer free or low-cost preventive care. They also provide transportation to medical appointments for those who need it. In some cases, they offer mobile clinics, bringing medical services to people instead of forcing them to travel to receive it. They also cater to varying linguistic and cultural needs within the community. Those efforts aid in preventing sicknesses and chronic illnesses to reduce their impacts.
Medical Treatments
Community health programs don’t focus solely on preventive care. After all, it’s not possible to prevent all illnesses. As such, these programs also help people receive the treatments they need when they’re suffering from illnesses and chronic conditions.
They provide better access to medications, nutritional services, therapy, screenings, and many other essential medical services to help people more effectively deal with the health issues they’re facing. As is the case with preventive care, they offer mobile services, telehealth, transportation, and other necessities as well. That, in turn, improves patient outcomes and helps to strengthen communities.
Health Education
Additionally, community health services provide medical education. They teach people about the importance of managing chronic illnesses, preventive care, physical activity, proper nutrition, dealing with substance abuse, and other factors in improving their health. People who foster these programs try to tailor their educational efforts to the needs of the communities they’re working with. They aim to help people make the most of the resources they’re making available to them.
Mental Health Support
Community outreach programs likewise offer mental health support. This is an aspect that was largely been overlooked in the past. It’s becoming increasingly essential, though, as the number of people suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders continues to grow. Outreach services for mental health include raising awareness, counseling, support groups, wellness checks, and improved access to medications as well as other resources.
Keeping Communities Healthy
Millions of people don’t have access to the medical care they need whether it’s due to financial hardships, no access to transportation, shortages of care providers, or other challenges. Community outreach programs focus on eliminating those hurdles to provide medical care to everyone who needs it. In doing so, they improve the lives of individuals and work for the greater good of the community as a whole.