Addressing root causes to improve community health: The medical-legal partnership model

An individual’s zip code is a key factor in determining his or her health, life expectancy and quality of life.  In the city of Chester, Pennsylvania over 30% of residents live in poverty and face numerous barriers to good health.  An innovative collaboration between Widener University School of Law, Crozer-Keystone Nurse-Family Partnership and Crozer-Keystone Healthy Start aims to address key social, environmental and political factors through education, direct legal services and systemic policy advocacy in order to improve the health of the community. 

Since 2010 Health, Education & Legal assistance Project: A Medical-Legal Partnership (HELP: MLP) has utilized a multidisciplinary approach to remediate root causes of poor health. Attorneys, social workers and nurses work collaboratively to address issues including access to care, securing public benefits, obtaining healthy housing, protection from abuse, and enforcing rights for people with disabilities.  To date HELP: MLP has resolved over 150 legal cases benefiting hundreds of individuals. Additionally, systemic advocacy efforts have resulted in policy change in key governmental organizations benefitting the entire community. Results from program evaluation show MLP services reduce client and provider stress, increase knowledge and awareness of social and legal determinants of health and increase advocacy capacity.