A community based program addressing barriers to healthcare

There are a number of factors that may keep individuals from accessing health care. These barriers include: insurance, cost, language, culture, education, community and employment status. Routine health care is especially important among minorities due to health disparities. To eliminate health disparities programs are need that provide accessible healthcare.

The Vision of Hope Health Alliance (VOHHA) was a program which addressed barriers to obtaining both eye and general medical care. VOHHA provided comprehensive eye care and eye glasses to uninsured, low-income adults which were referred by partners (service agencies (SAs) or Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)) or self referred (SR) at no cost to patients. 1753 patients received eye care. 828 (47.2%) classified themselves as African American and 583 (33.2%) Hispanic. The majority of these patients (63.25%) were referred from partner FQHCs while 28.7% were from SAs and 8.0% were SR. Through partner agencies VOHHA reaches directly into the community. 165 (9%)patients received contracted interpretation services which aided in addressing language barrier. 1521 (87%) patients received glasses prescriptions after their eye exam. Improved vision may have positively influenced employability. VOHHA provided a resource to reengage patients without primary care physician (PCP) in medical system though FQHCs. For those without a PCP (366(21%)), VOHHA team members educated and provided referrals to PCPs at FQHCs. 121 patients scheduled and kept appointments with PCPs. VOHHA directly addressed some of the barriers which prevent some from seeking and obtaining health care.