In 2019, the Franklin County Commission decided that the county needed to take further steps to address growing social inequities and supported locally created programs to promote health equity. General fund money continues to pour in.
Late last month, the commission awarded a total of $1.68 million in continuing grants to nine organizations primarily aimed at reducing disparities in health outcomes for populations historically underserved by health care providers. Announced.
The county spent about a year looking at what could be done, and said, “What we learned is that the inequities that exist in health care and health are at the core of the main reason why we continue to experience these disparities.'' That's part of it,” President Kevin Boyce said. a member of the three-member commission told The Dispatch.
This year's awardees, who continued last year's funding to provide continuity, are:
- Physician CareConnection: $500,000 to Helping Our People Everyday (HOPE), which provides care coordination to vulnerable populations.
- PrimaryOne Health: $500,000 to provide comprehensive, high-quality, affordable health care and support services to meet the health needs of women and their families.
- Central Ohio Cancer Support Community: Reduces barriers to cancer treatment by providing appropriate support, education, programs, and comprehensive services to Black and LGBTQIA+ individuals affected by cancer and living in poverty. $150,000 to do so.
- Catholic Social Services Inc.: $50,000 to provide a variety of social services to Hispanic residents in central Ohio.
- Central Ohio Charitable Pharmacy: $150,000 to provide affordable and appropriate pharmacy services and coordinate access to health care for vulnerable populations.
- Children's Hunger Alliance: Provides healthy, nutritious meals to children at risk of food insecurity, increases access to nutritious foods, and educates children about healthy eating and physical activity. Donate $150,000 to educate.
- FESTA: $8,000 to highlight the need for fitness and address the physical and mental health of young people.
- Lutheran Social Services: $50,000 to provide medical, dental, behavioral health and vision care to people experiencing homelessness.
- OhioHealth Collaboration: $125,000 to provide comprehensive prenatal, postnatal, and women's health care to women residing in Franklin County through the Wellness on Wheel mobile health unit.
Boyce said the decision to not resume making grants this year and continue funding previous programs was because “it's not enough to just give them a grant for a year and say, 'Good luck.' ”. …We'll have to look at it over several years. ”
That said, the county will likely begin accepting requests for proposals for various programs at some point, given that 50 local entities initially applied for funding in 2021.
Although Franklin County is economically prosperous, it is not fair, especially for minorities, and the quality of services varies widely by zip code. Health care and mental health care should be seen as human rights, Boyce said.
“Our communities already have world-class health care options, but they are not equally available or equitably available,” said commissioner spokesperson Tyler Rowley. Ta. “It’s about providing access to great health care throughout the community.”
Recipients must demonstrate that they are providing care that focuses on long-term improved outcomes. The Commissioners’ 2019 Blueprint for Rising Together to Address Poverty in Franklin County identifies disparities in health outcomes as both a symptom and a cause of poverty in our communities.
The grants are administered by the Commissioner's Community Partnership Agency, which last year oversaw more than $25 million in total grant funding.
“As a heart patient, I know a thing or two about the miracles of modern medicine, but I also know that those miracles come with conditions and disparities that prevent some populations from getting the treatment and preventive care they deserve. ,” Commissioner John O’Grady said in a written statement. “These health equity grants recognize that there is much work to be done and a step in the right direction.”
wbush@gannett.com
@ReporterBush
