How community health outreach makes a distinction|VISITOR COMMENTARY
Human connection plays a crucial function in effecting health results, composes Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos.
Building off this design, others in Baltimore have taken a significant step even more by engaging community members before they end up being patients.In late 2023, Novartis, the Global Union on Aging, a network of Baltimore City senior centers and four regional Baltimore churches led by Pastor Terris King, a former Medicare and Medicaid executive, created engAGE with Heart, a community-based program that brings together households, churches, senior centers and community partners to support heart health amongst their neighbors and congregations.To a clinician, it made ideal sense. Neighborhood Health Ambassadors run in collaboration with the traditional health system to refer at-risk people for care at the best time, before it’s too late.Even more, starting in February of this year, engAGE with Heart and Together in Care came together to utilize the strength of both programs– caring for the communities and the clients. By our existing medical facilities partnering with local faith networks, senior centers and other relied on neighborhood organizations, we can empower our neighborhood leaders and health specialists to reach people before they end up in the medical facility.
Building off this model, others in Baltimore have taken a major action further by engaging community members before they end up being patients.In late 2023, Novartis, the Global Union on Aging, a network of Baltimore City senior centers and 4 local Baltimore churches led by Pastor Terris King, a previous Medicare and Medicaid executive, produced engAGE with Heart, a community-based program that brings together households, churches, senior centers and community partners to support heart health among their neighbors and congregations.To a clinician, it made best sense. It achieves this by relying on Community Health Ambassadors, paid members of the neighborhood who have a deep understanding of local needs, culture, challenges and relationships. Neighborhood Health Ambassadors run in partnership with the standard health system to refer at-risk people for care at the ideal time, before it’s too late.Even more, starting in February of this year, engAGE with Heart and Together in Care came together to utilize the strength of both programs– caring for the neighborhoods and the patients. By our existing medical facilities partnering with regional faith networks, senior centers and other relied on neighborhood organizations, we can empower our community leaders and health experts to reach individuals before they end up in the hospital.
