The Cleveland County Health Department has been awarded a federal grant to provide primary health care services to vulnerable county residents.
A $5 million grant, funded through the General Assembly, will provide mobile dentists and primary care units, as well as primary care options at public health centers.
The community health improvement plan was submitted to the county board during Tuesday’s meeting for approval.
The Commissioner unanimously approved it.
Cleveland County Health Commissioner Tiffany Hansen said she developed a three-pronged community health improvement plan to address the county’s poor health rankings.
“Cleveland County is in the lowest quadrant of overall health and wellness,” she said. “One of the biggest factors is premature death. It’s not getting any better. It’s getting worse.”
Preventive services and early detection can affect 80% of early deaths.
Hansen said these three department-developed prongs consist of a mobile health screening unit, a mobile dental unit, and a primary care establishment in the health department that provides opportunities for health check-ups and screening services. .
“There is no local resource allocation required to achieve these three dimensions,” says Hansen.
Those with insurance will be billed for insurance, and those without insurance will be served on a sliding fee scale.
“The ultimate goal here is to increase access to primary care for the most vulnerable people in Cleveland County,” she said.
A county with a shortage of primary care providers and only one doctor for more than 2,000 people could have a positive impact on those who are uninsured or uninsured.
Hansen said the health department will partner with Gardner Webb University and Atrium Health to operate the mobile units.
The mobile screening unit will not only provide screenings and checks for blood sugar, diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, but will also provide health education and connect people to the health sector. We plan to operate the mobile unit at community events, libraries.
Service referrals are provided by local providers, emergency departments and other sources.
The Mobile Dental Unit works with Cleveland County schools to screen and meet the needs of children across the county.
Hansen said most children in the county don’t have a regular dentist.
Mobile units spend a week in each of the county’s 29 schools, providing screening, preventive care, and treatment.
The program will be maintained by claims insurance and a sliding fee structure, Hansen said.
“I think this is good for our community,” said Commissioner Johnny Hutchins.
Rebecca Sitzes can be reached at rsitzes@gannett.com.
