ONE Charlotte Health Alliance launches two mobile health units to bring medical, dental and behavioral health services to some of Charlotte’s most underserved areas
CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 11, 2019 – ONE Charlotte Health Alliance, formed by Atrium Health, Novant Health and the Mecklenburg County Health Department, have partnered to bring two all-new mobile health units to provide medical, dental and behavioral health services to areas defined as Public Health Priority Areas in the Charlotte area.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has committed to provide $750,000 over the next three years to support operations of the mobile health units, helping ONE Charlotte Health Alliance maintain convenient access to advanced primary care services that are essential for the wellbeing of our community.
ONE Charlotte Health Alliance was formed to begin conversations around investments in the community’s most critical needs, specifically barriers to health care, and address long-term health outcomes. This need was highlighted by the civil unrest that occurred after the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in 2016 and the 2014 Harvard University study that ranked Charlotte 50 out of 50 for upward mobility. A co-partnered Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) study determined six zip codes in the Charlotte area as Public Health Priority Areas which have the highest health and quality of life disparities.
“Our health begins long before we go to the doctor; it begins in our families, workplaces, schools, water we drink and air we breathe,” said Alisahah Cole, MD, chief community impact officer for Atrium Health. “Since 1940, Atrium Health has committed to provide high quality care and improve health for all. Together, we can find solutions that address not only medical care, but also economic and social conditions that can dramatically impact a community’s health and well-being.”
According to the CHNA study, in Mecklenburg County, 22 percent of adults reported not having a regular source of care, 20 percent reported not being able to see a doctor due to cost and nearly 200,000 residents reported not being able to see a dentist due to cost.
“We must work together to intervene and make bold steps toward helping our community. We want to ensure true, lasting impact through this mobile unit initiative,” said Jesse Cureton, executive vice president and chief consumer officer for Novant Health. “Supporting the community has always been a top priority for Novant Health, which is why we are so honored to invest in this partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of all of the communities we serve. Mobile units display our commitment to advocacy, education and empowerment.”
The six zip codes, which include 28205, 28206, 28208, 28216 and 28217 will serve as the initial focus of the collaboration and areas the two mobile health units will serve. Initial services include: wellness education programs, blood pressure checks, cholesterol and glucose tests as well as weight management tools. Following this initial rollout, the mobile units will bring medical, dental and behavioral health services to community members who currently do not have convenient or affordable access to this primary care.
“A person’s health is not only shaped by factors within their control, but often, external environmental factors play a role, including access to care. What we know is that if you can find solutions that improve access, target social determinants and address long-term outcomes of health you can dramatically change the outlook for an entire community,” said Dr. Anuradha Rao-Patel, Blue Cross NC Medical Director and acute and chronic pain management specialist. “Blue Cross NC is proud to invest in this initiative that aligns so closely to our own values — removing barriers to health care to build better communities.”
For more information on ONE Charlotte Health Alliance, visit www.oneclthealth.org. For mobile health unit services offered and schedule details, visit the ONE Charlotte Health Alliance’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/oneclthealth and follow @oneclthealth on Twitter.
About ONE Charlotte Health Alliance
The ONE Charlotte Health Alliance was launched by Novant Health, Atrium Health and Mecklenburg County Health Department as a holistic initiative designed to begin the conversation around investments to address the community’s critical needs, specifically barriers to health care. ONE Charlotte Health Alliance intends to build upon existing community efforts, foster partnerships and create new opportunities to improve access to coordinated health services and resources in underserved communities. Learn more about the ONE Charlotte Health Alliance by visiting www.oneclthealth.org and follow ONE Charlotte Health Alliance on Twitter and Facebook at @oneclthealth.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities by providing innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.89 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
Media Contacts:
Atrium Health – Savannah Simons | 704.631.0931 | Savannah.Simons@AtriumHealth.org
Novant Health – Megan Rivers | 704.617.2631 | MRivers@NovantHealth.org
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC – Media Line | 919-765-3005 | Newsroom: http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com
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