New funding will allow two local health service providers to expand testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
through outreach for people who are uninsured and underinsured in Douglas County.
The Douglas County Commission awarded Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center $50,000 from the Douglas County Municipalities Fight Addiction Fund for the effort.
“Testing will be available during outreach and integrated care visits ensuring individuals can access services in the settings where they already receive care,” according to a Monday news release. “Follow-up for individuals who test positive will be coordinated through shared workflows and navigation support, ensuring timely access to treatment and continuity of care across systems.”
Brittnay Schuetz, LDCPH APRN, said in that testing is critical to identify infections early, connect people to treatment and reduce the risk of spread of infection.
“This initiative also helps address health disparities and ensures our most vulnerable community members have access to the care they need,” Schuetz said in the release.
Bert Nash and LDCPH have a collaborative agreement to help reach people who are most at risk of harm from opioid use and to close a gap for uninsured people accessing behavioral health care.
More information about testing for sexually transmitted infections is available on the health department’s website at this link.
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HIV, hepatitis testing to expand for underinsured Douglas County residents
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