Olympia Fields, IL: Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, one of Illinois’ largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), announced today its effort to expand access to COVID-19 testing to low-income populations and underserved communities across Illinois. Testing will be provided at no cost.
Aunt Martha’s was among the first FQHCs asked to participate in the state’s initial push to expand testing, and has to date completed over 13,000 COVID-19 tests in Cook, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Will and Winnebago counties.
“The data continues to show that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on certain segments of the population, particularly communities of color,” said Dr. Charles Barron, Aunt Martha’s Chief Medical Officer.
Mobile unit removes access barriers
“The mobile health unit is a vehicle – literally and figuratively – that allows Aunt Martha’s to promote health equity by breaking down the barriers that too often keep people from accessing care and services in the communities where they are needed most,” said Barron.
Aunt Martha’s mobile health initiative was created to not only increase access to COVID-19 testing, but also to offer health education and prevention, and connect communities and people with mobility difficulty access to health care options.
For information about upcoming events, or to schedule Aunt Martha’s mobile unit for an event in your community, send an email to mobileunit@auntmarthas.org.
About Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness
Aunt Martha’s serve over 105,000 children and adults each year with more than 35 sites, including 23 community health centers spread across nine counties. The agency’s integrated health home model offers value-based, coordinated services, delivering whole person wellness through the integration of primary and behavioral health care and linkages to additional support services that address social determinants of health. Aunt Martha’s has been continuously accredited by The Joint Commission since 1997.
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