Just as specific chronic illnesses (like tooth decay and asthma) are more common in the younger population, the same is true for the elderly population. “Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases like dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and cancer,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer and age The…
“Stress affects physical health—and it keeps people from going to their [doctor] appointments,” says Christine Young, who trained as a Community Health Worker (CHW) through Health Care Access Now (HCAN). As a care coordinator for Talbert House, Young administers a screening to outpatient mental health clients that helps reveal health-related social needs, such as issues…
Coping with chronic disease can feel like a part-time job. People with chronic illnesses have to attend more frequent medical appointments, make sure they stay on top of their medication, and even do things like change their diet to manage disease progression. Doing all of that can take a mental toll. James Stringer, Community Health…
Chronic illnesses may affect all sorts of body systems. For example, diabetes can affect the cardiovascular system, the eyes, kidneys, nerves, skin, and teeth. Arthritis affects muscles, bones, joints, and—depending on the type of arthritis—the associated inflammation can affect other body systems, such as the heart or the skin. Chronic kidney disease affects the kidneys,…
Six in 10 Americans are living with conditions that limit the way they live or require regular medical attention. When these kinds of conditions develop slowly over time and last for longer than a year, they are referred to as chronic disease. Chronic disease should not be confused with acute conditions, which develop suddenly and…
As we approach the holiday season, many of us anticipate gatherings with loved ones. We look forward to showing care and appreciation for family and friends through sharing time, food and perhaps even gifts. Many of us will also reflect on our charitable giving over the past year. Have we done enough to support the…
Reine Kukwikila came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her first job upon arriving was at the airport, where she washed dishes. Over time she has become a Community Health Worker (CHW) and supports people throughout southwest Ohio, many of whom are themselves immigrants. Kukwikila knows first-hand the challenges they face. …
Sign up today! —> Connect with a Community Health Worker. Call 513-707-5697 or complete the online application form. Often when we reflect on our interactions with health care, we think of the doctors and nurses who examine our bodies and prescribe a plan of action. But how do we know who to see in the first place?…
Headlines are filled with news about immigration. We learn of contentious debates about the U.S. and Mexico border. We read about travesties in Congo, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine and Gaza, and the desperate conditions that force people to flee their homelands and seek peaceful lives elsewhere. Too often these stories feel like something happening elsewhere, in…
What is the Pathways Community HUB Institute(SM) Model? Health Care Access Now (HCAN)’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) use the Pathways Community HUB Institute(SM) Model (PCHI(SM) Model), an evidence-based framework for assessing and overcoming barriers to good health outcomes for program participants. The model tracks program participants’ progress, which is also used to bill insurance and…
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