Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and the Lawrence Community Shelter are partnering to bring the health department’s clinical services directly to guests staying at the shelter.
On “Wellness Wednesdays,” once a month starting Feb. 28, LDCPH’s mobile health clinic will offer services at the shelter that are available at the public health building at 200 Maine St. Services will include immunizations, flu shots, sexually transmitted disease screenings, tuberculosis tests and more.
A community health worker from Heartland Community Health Center will also be on-site during the events to make referrals and help connect people with other resources, according to a Monday news release from LDCPH.
“Homelessness is a national health crisis. The best way to address a health crisis is to provide health care. This partnership will do just that,” James Chiselom, executive director of LCS, said in the release.
The life expectancy of a person living in homelessness in the United States is less than 47.6 years on average, according to a meta-analysis published in the International Archives of Public Health and Community Medicine.
“This initiative will benefit the most vulnerable members of our community and help address existing public health disparities,” according to the news release.
“We are very excited to utilize this partnership with LCS and Heartland Community Health Center as an opportunity to promote equitable access to good health,” Jonathan Smith, executive director of LDCPH, said in the release.
The program is made possible by Community Development Block Grant funding from the City of Lawrence, according to the release.
“LDCPH is hopeful that this effort will open the door to future projects and collaborations,” according to the release.
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