The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56214

Charles H. Mindel, PhD and Kristin M. Ferguson, MSW. School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, PO Box 19129, 211 S. Cooper, Arlington, TX 76019, 817-272-3910, mindel@uta.edu

This study examines the effectiveness of a program, Project Access, a CDC funded project, whose purpose is to create a model of community health delivery, using a faith-based community organization, with the intent to reduce disparity and increase health outcomes of the uninsured working poor. While much is known about the number and types of faith-health programs, little is known about their effectiveness. Most of the research on the uninsured has focused on ways to provide additional coverage and promote access, but very little research has focused on alternative means for providing systematic access. If uninsured working poor are enrolled into systems providing systematic access to appropriate care it is expected that illness will be treated more quickly, screening will allow better prevention efforts, and misuse of emergency departments will decline. Project Access provides access to preventive and/or primary care through a system of voluntary arrangements with a local community faith-based clinic and an organized network of volunteer physicians and other health providers. This study is designed to examine changes in health outcomes for all patients who have entered the Project Access system over a three year period. Health status has been assessed using the SF-12 at intake and at three month intervals. Results from approximately 300 patients indicate that health status has improved at each interval. Research is continuing to determine longer term outcomes such as reduction in ED use and better screening for diseases such as diabetes, and cancer.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the changes in health status of participants in a faith-based health program.
• Understand the procedures used to assess changes in health status of program participants
• Identify the problems faced in securing adequate health care when they are uninsured.

Keywords: Access and Services, Family Planning

Related Web page: www.dallas-cms.org/ss5/project-access.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.