NNLM AoU Community Award: Mobile Medical Outreach

Decreasing or when possible, eliminating barriers to care, is one of the most effective ways to engage people in taking steps toward better health and well-being. Daily Planet Health Services (DPHS) provides primary care, behavioral and mental health, substance use, oral health, case management, pharmacy counseling, and health education/outreach via an integrated care model to some of the most vulnerable in the Greater Richmond community – the homeless and those experiencing housing instability. DPHS is uniquely positioned to be able to treat patients of all ages across multiple service lines, resulting in a true medical home. The Richmond Public Library (RPL) System, which consists of nine branches across the city, has long been a safe and trusted place for those experiencing homelessness in Richmond. Trusted individuals and organizations are key to overcoming hesitancy to care, whether in respect to vaccines, dental care, substance use or primary care. DPHS and RPL agree that a significant opportunity exists for the Library to address the needs of its patrons, by partnering with DPHS, which has the mobile unit to respond to these needs. This project builds upon a successful pre-pandemic partnership between DPHS and RPL by offering monthly onsite healthcare, in addition to case management services, at library locations via a mobile medical unit. By leveraging the resources of DPHS and RPL, health literacy, education and care will be brought to those that need it most, thereby increasing the likelihood that people will choose to take action to improve their health.