VANCOUVER, Wash, Oct. 5, 2017 -- The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington has received an $11,000 grant from the PacificSource Foundation for Health Improvement to support the clinic's diabetes program.
In the 2015 Clark County Community Health Assessment Report, diabetes was identified as one of the top ten leading causes of death in the county. In the Free Clinic's program, volunteers and community partners offer education and coordinated care to uninsured people living with diabetes. This grant will help provide for medications and diabetic supplies and funding for a community health worker position within the diabetes care team. The community health worker assists patients and families address social issues that may make it difficult for a patient to improve his or her health.
The diabetes program works with uninsured patients who are newly diagnosed with the disease or who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes. Patients receive medications, education about nutrition and exercise, an eye exam and lab tests as often as necessary. Program volunteers encourage patients to be their own advocates by teaching self-management skills. In FY 2016-17, patients in the program made nearly 440 visits to the Free Clinic.
"We appreciate the extraordinary support of the PacificSource Foundation," says Barbe West, executive director of the Free Clinic. "This grant will help us continue the use of a community health worker and improve overall patient health."
About the Free Clinic:
The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington provides free, compassionate, quality health care to children and adults who are otherwise unable to obtain such services. The Free Clinic offers medical, dental, vision and specialty care services from 500 volunteer professionals. The Free Clinic is funded by the local community, and all donations stay in Southwest Washington. For more information about the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, visit our website: freeclinics.org.
October 6, 2017
