Boone County underserved adults, who might not have a main care physician or know the place to show for sources on different well being wants, now have a brand new choice from Columbia/Boone County Public Well being and Human Companies.
The division unveiled its new Well being on Wheels outreach van Friday with a ribbon-cutting.
The van and its employees are supported by two grant packages, which embrace the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capability Group Well being Employee Initiative and the Native Public Well being Disparities Initiative. Each initiatives are supported by contracts with the state’s Public Well being and Senior Companies Division and by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, respectively.
There are two stations within the van the place Boone County adults can obtain a well being evaluation from division group well being employees, mentioned Jennifer Clark-Williams, one of many supervisors of the outreach van program.
“That could be a kind we’ll fill out to determine the place (an individual is) with their well being,” she mentioned.
This could embrace fundamental questions, reminiscent of how usually vegatables and fruits are eaten and if an individual sees or has a main care physician for normal check-ups. The outreach program goals to assist with group well being points associated to hypertension, weight problems, diabetes, COVID-19 and extra.
The particular person assessed at that time may be a part of a three-month program wherein they obtain an everyday name and assist the place that particular person can join with different well being sources in the neighborhood.
“We wish to assist them alongside the best way, refer them to what they want and preserve them accountable, to allow them to proceed to try this,” Clark-Williams mentioned.
The principle focus is on adults at this level for the outreach van program, she added.
The division will publish bulletins on its web site and its social media accounts on locations the van will go to.
“The van goes for use to cut back well being disparities and enhance well being outcomes for underserved communities by assembly group members the place they’re. So, that’s when it comes to the placement and so far as the place they’re with regard to their well being,” Clark-Williams mentioned.
The van options art work by Lauren Greene, former division youth group well being employee, and is supposed to symbolize the individuals of Boone County, so that folks might self-identify and really feel extra comfy when approaching the van.
“We’ve got the massive burr oak tree, a veteran, farm gear, faculty college students, the Daniel Boone Public Library, wholesome meals and other people of all generations and backgrounds,” Clark-Williams mentioned.
The brand new outreach van was celebrated not solely by the division but in addition by Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.
Kendrick centered on how Missouri, as a state, doesn’t make investments sufficient in public well being and so celebrated how the grants have supplied a method of offering extra public well being entry.
“It’s incredible we’re right here as we speak to have a good time progress and a proactive measure to handle the well being disparities that exist and the well being disparities that exacerbated the response to COVID-19,” he mentioned. “We’re lucky to not simply have public well being professionals right here in Boone County and Columbia who’re good at their job, however who’re additionally enthusiastic about their job.”
Buffaloe particularly talked about the grants in her remarks, including all of the grants the division seeks to assist it “broaden their attain and outreach.”
The COVID-19 pandemic additionally confirmed how public well being methods want extra sources, she mentioned.
“Having a cellular unit that’s offering compassionate care with our group well being employees goes to be such a priceless useful resource. They are going to be capable to present sources and referrals to packages and organizations that now we have heard historically haven’t — that is that hole — individuals I do know companies can be found, however how do they get to them and which one works for them,” Buffaloe mentioned.
Charles Dunlap covers native authorities, group tales and different common topics for the Tribune. You possibly can attain him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to assist very important native journalism.