Preventative Care
PREVENTATIVE CARE
Community health centers offer preventive care to patients to help stop health problems before they start. CHCs comprehensive care often includes providing “dental, vision and behavioral health services, community-centered services and care integration - including health education and case management” (NCSL). Nearly three-quarters of children who are treated at CHCs receive all recommended immunizations by their second birthday. As of 2010, immunizations, physicals, and other preventative care for infants and children have been provided by most health care plans without co-pays or deductibles, further reducing costs. Additionally, health centers provide prenatal care to almost half a million expectant mothers. Health centers help patients manage chronic conditions to keep patients out of the hospital (HealthCare.gov). Additionally, health centers offer invaluable education to improve patients’ health knowledge.
A study conducted by University of California medical students reiterated the value of health education in preventing the spread of diseases. Their findings suggest that disease-specific preventive education can be effective across wide demographics in improving patient’s health knowledge : “These knowledge improvements can be retained for periods as long as a month or more, which [...] may lead to preventive behaviors” (Ouyang, D. et. al, 477). With the growing prevalence of CHCs across the country, it is an imperative that physicians utilize their position to provide patient education in order to further preventative care.
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has also published results speaking to the efficacy of CHCs in preventative care. According to NACHC, the presence of health centers’ in rural areas has led to incredible results in “enhanced access to needed care, improved health outcomes, reduced health disparities, and generated health care savings and significant economic benefits.” Specific
Community health centers offer preventive care to patients to help stop health problems before they start. CHCs comprehensive care often includes providing “dental, vision and behavioral health services, community-centered services and care integration - including health education and case management” (NCSL). Nearly three-quarters of children who are treated at CHCs receive all recommended immunizations by their second birthday. As of 2010, immunizations, physicals, and other preventative care for infants and children have been provided by most health care plans without co-pays or deductibles, further reducing costs. Additionally, health centers provide prenatal care to almost half a million expectant mothers. Health centers help patients manage chronic conditions to keep patients out of the hospital (HealthCare.gov). Additionally, health centers offer invaluable education to improve patients’ health knowledge.
A study conducted by University of California medical students reiterated the value of health education in preventing the spread of diseases. Their findings suggest that disease-specific preventive education can be effective across wide demographics in improving patient’s health knowledge : “These knowledge improvements can be retained for periods as long as a month or more, which [...] may lead to preventive behaviors” (Ouyang, D. et. al, 477). With the growing prevalence of CHCs across the country, it is an imperative that physicians utilize their position to provide patient education in order to further preventative care.
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has also published results speaking to the efficacy of CHCs in preventative care. According to NACHC, the presence of health centers’ in rural areas has led to incredible results in “enhanced access to needed care, improved health outcomes, reduced health disparities, and generated health care savings and significant economic benefits.” Specific