USA Health Piloting Community Health Program

Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Community Health Workers project is a collaboration between the USA Center for Healthy Communities and the Mobile County Health Department. | photo courtesy by USA Health

MOBILE, Ala. — The USA Center for Healthy Communities is piloting the Community Health Workers (CHW) clinical integration model at the USA Health Stanton Road Clinic to help patients navigate health and social services. Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CHW is a collaboration between the USA Center for Healthy Communities and Mobile County Health Department. CHWs are trained public health workers who serve as a bridge between communities, healthcare systems and state health departments. They work alongside the clinic’s administrative team and have a close understanding of the community served. The program aims to empower and build resilience in struggling Mobile communities in 13 select ZIP codes. At least 33% of Stanton Road Clinic’s patients receive Medicaid or Medicare, and some clients have little to no resources for payment. Cheyenne Garland and Mallory Tyus serve as Stanton Road Clinic’s CHWs. They are using their knowledge of the wide cross-section of social services and health education available regionally to help patients.