Cincinnati Community Health Worker
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April Biggers: Vital part of the community

April Biggers joined the Community Health Worker (CHW) program at Health Care Access Now (HCAN) on the advice of a friend—now co-worker—who raved about the position. “I knew I wanted a career, not just a job. I wanted somewhere I could grow and flourish. I wanted to be able to make a difference,” she says….

Lack of affordable housing is impacting community health.
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Not enough suitable housing in Cincinnati

Health can be affected by many social determinants, including access to affordable housing. If an individual struggles to make rent or mortgage payments, that person likely has limited resources for other necessities that can impact health.  According to the Center for Housing Policy, “Affordable housing alleviates crowding and makes more household resources available to pay…

PRESS RELEASE: HCAN awarded two large local grants to disrupt poor health cycle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Health Care Access Now (HCAN) has received two large grants to further the reach of its Community Health Workers (CHWs) by placing them in non-traditional settings.  Interact for Health has awarded HCAN $50,000.  bi3, Bethesda Inc.’s grants initiative to transform health, has awarded HCAN $50,000. This grant is part of bi3’s support…

Affordable Housing is a barrier to good health.
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Seth Walsh: Elevating community

Seth Walsh, Executive Director of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (College Hill CURC), says it’s possible to do development right—as long as developers work with the community and stay true to its essence. College Hill CURC has been in existence for more than 20 years, and it has always been community-led. “For the…

COVID “Educations” support, don’t judge
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COVID “Educations” support, don’t judge

Health Care Access Now (HCAN) and its Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s affecting all of us at the same time,” says Bettie Johnson, HUB Operations Coordinator for HCAN. As a result, they are careful to use a sensitive and non-judgmental approach to the COVID-19 Educations…

Denisha Porter, All-In Cincinnati Coalition
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Denisha Porter: All-in with racial equity

“I get to lead a bunch of wonderful people around policy and systems change,” says Denisha Porter of her position as Director of the All-In Cincinnati Coalition. Driving solutions is her goal, and she always keeps an ear open to suggestions from and needs within the community. All-In Cincinnati works to dismantle racial inequities with…

PRESS RELEASE: Member HUBs create Ohio network to achieve health equity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In Ohio, there are currently 10 Pathways Community HUB Institute Certified HUBs (HUBs). These HUBs have created a network in order to support, grow, and sustain their model, with the goal of achieving health equity for all people in Ohio. HUBs are built for and by the communities each serves. Regional organizations…

Racism the cause for food insecurity.
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Food insecurity linked to discrimination and poorer health outcomes

If an individual or family chronically cannot access sufficient nutritious food, they are considered food insecure. This could occur for a variety of reasons, including lack of funds or access. According to the Freestore Foodbank, 270,000 people in the tri-state area are food insecure. More than 80,000 of those people are children.  People in this…