Utilizing Mobile Health Clinics to Promote Healthy Communities

In public health, mobile health clinics are used nationally and internationally in underserved communities. Mobile clinics are used to provide a variety of services including, but not limited to, mammography screenings, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings, cancer screenings, and general preventive and primary care. Mobile clinics are discussed in the literature as being cost effective and improving access to prevention and care. In this panel discussion, colleagues from three different organizations will discuss the planning, implementation, results, and implications of mobilizing healthcare. This will include discussion of The Mobile Health Unit (MHU) from Miami University. A four-year national demonstration project for the more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. This national project tested the feasibility of a mobile health clinic to deliver health promotion and clinical services on campuses nationwide. Discussion will include utilization of a mobile health clinic for research as demonstrated by "The Late Night Breakfast Buffet". This study provided “harm reduction services including: needle exchange, harm reduction information, oral HIV (antibody) testing, urine based testing for gonorrhea and Chlamydia accompanied by brief client centered counseling and consent procedures” for men who have sex with men (MSM) in three neighborhoods of San Francisco (Polk, South of Market, and Castro). A 19-foot van was available from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Attendees will be guided through the planning, implementation, and implications of mobilizing healthcare by the CEO and Executive Director of Mobile Health Clinics Association (MHCA).