MDHHS director visits Epicenter of Worship Neighborhood Wellness Center and Ingham County MI Mobile Health Unit

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel met with Ingham County Health Department staff and other community partners to discuss the importance of providing preventative care and wraparound services to people where they live, work and gather during tours of the Epicenter of Worship Neighborhood Wellness Center in Lansing and the MI Mobile Health Unit serving Ingham County.

"Addressing health disparities and expanding access to affordable health care are key priorities for the department," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "Neighborhood Wellness Centers and MI Mobile Health Units bring health care to Michigan families where they are to offer preventative health screenings, immunizations, social services and much more."

"The partnership between MDHHS, Ingham County Health Department and Epicenter of Worship serves as an essential bridge from public health to the community," said Dr. Brenda Gray, Ingham County Health Department deputy health officer. "The Neighborhood Wellness Center and the Mobile Health Unit are powerful tools for advancing public health. They are strategic assets for public health in expanding access addressing disparities, engaging communities and supporting preventive care."

In August 2020, COVID-19 Neighborhood Testing Sites were established to reduce health and economic disparities in underserved areas by providing accessible COVID-19 testing services from trusted community partners, including the faith-based community. The sites have now evolved into Neighborhood Wellness Centers that offer additional health services and resources at no cost in communities with limited access to preventive health care services.

Twenty-two Neighborhood Wellness Centers offer free preventive health care services including COVID-19 and flu testing, blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer and diabetes screening. On-site community health workers (CHW) support community members by helping them connect to food, transportation and housing resources and provide counseling and education services and referrals to primary care providers, senior services and more.

At the Epicenter of Worship Neighborhood Wellness Center, CHW support is the most requested service with transportation, home utilities and daily living support being the top needs. More than half of participants who had their blood pressure checked learned they had high blood pressure while approximately three out of 10 individuals who were screened for diabetes received a prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis.

"This community has benefitted from the partnership between MDHHS, Ingham County Health Department and the Epicenter of Worship," said Pastor Sean Holland. "The Neighborhood Wellness Center brings together public health and the faith community by offering preventive screenings, addressing social determinants of health and cultivating trust through authentic community engagement. The partnership helps to close health care gaps, promote equity and create healthier, more resilient communities."

Taking health care on the road

MDHHS offers 20 MI Mobile Health Units in five counties in partnership with Michigan Mobile Health Corps. The mobile units expand access to preventative health care and social services by meeting people in easily accessible locations in communities with limited access to traditional health care systems and high health risk areas.

Health services include COVID-19, sexually transmitted infection and lead testing, retinal and vision screening, PREP treatment and labs; flu and COVID-19 vaccinations; chronic disease management for hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease; mental health and substance use disorder services, including naloxone distribution; and reproductive services including pap smears, contraceptive services and pregnancy testing. In addition, CHWs assist with wraparound services including connecting patients with primary care providers and Medicaid, food and housing assistance.

Since they first hit the road in 2020, the mobile units have provided nearly 130,000 total services during more than 2,000 events per year across Michigan. The Ingham County Health Department Mobile Health Unit has held 123 community events. The most requested services include immunizations and wraparound services.

"The Ingham Mobile Health Unit is on track to provide screenings, vaccines and medical consultations to 1,000 people this year who would otherwise lack preventative care," said Jessica Yorko, Ingham County Health Department division director for health promotion and prevention. "Our street outreach services are designed to reduce ER visits and hospitalizations and provide cost-effective access points before issues become life-threatening or debilitating. Our team of providers and partners and our participants have created systems of care, trust and mutual respect that are expanding access to quality care."

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