A new development in Denver’s Illyria-Swansea neighborhood that combines affordable housing, a health care provider, a pharmacy, and then a grocery store with fresh produce is a collaborative project with real community input. It is proof of how partnerships can address the needs of historically underserved neighborhoods.
Jim Garcia, founder and CEO of Tepeyac Community Health Center, said the innovative combination makes it easier for people working two or three jobs to meet the basic needs of their families. Just said it will get easier.
“Families have very limited time in the day or week to go to the doctor’s office, go to the dentist, get prescriptions filled,” Garcia said. “So being able to provide these services all under one roof is a huge benefit to working families.”
Tepeyac is just a few blocks away from bus and streetcar stops, which was key to the decision to build a new 24,000-square-foot medical center that will serve all patients regardless of their ability to pay, Garcia said. Told.
The Georgia-based developer is adding 150 affordable apartments to the site, and plans to open more affordable senior units and a community center across the street next year.
In an era when virtually all new home construction provides luxury homes for hedge fund investors and millionaires, Tepeyac offers practical solutions to address what has become a national affordable housing and homelessness crisis. It has become a model.
Garcia said his advice to future mixed-use developers is to be open to partnerships that can provide key components for complex projects with many moving parts.
“The level of health care services, affordable housing and fresh food provision as part of the overall project,” Garcia said. “So I would just say that you should be open to innovative ideas and to working with partners that may not intuitively seem like collaboration opportunities.”
Tepeyac was founded in 1995 and operated out of a two-bedroom bungalow in north Denver. In 2022, Tepeyac served approximately 4,600 customers, 90% of whom were Hispanic or Latino.
Garcia said the new facility has had a big impact since it opened last year.
“We were able to significantly expand our ability to serve more patients,” Garcia said. “We expect to ultimately be able to triple the number of patients we serve and provide high-quality medical, dental, mental health and pharmacy services.”
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A new program at the Washington Public Library System is helping people measure their blood pressure at home.
The American Heart Association collaborated with the Timberland Regional Library on the “Libraries with Heart” program to help people check home blood pressure kits.
Andrea Heisel, director of content and access for the Timberland Regional Library, said that in the communities the library serves, people have to travel long distances to get to the nearest doctor or store that provides blood pressure machines. He said that there are cases where this is not necessary.
“Getting these into people’s hands so they can take them home and use them at their own convenience is another great resource that libraries can provide people with,” Heisel explained. “We’re really excited to be able to offer that, especially to rural communities.”
Monitoring blood pressure is important to ensure that people’s hearts are healthy and prevent serious threats such as heart failure and stroke. Timberland Regional Library has 29 libraries in her five counties in Southwest Washington.
Carissa LaClair, director of stroke program quality at Washington state-based MultiCare Health System, which supports the program, said it’s important to have a way to test blood pressure at home.
“Patients may suffer from ‘white coat syndrome’, which means they feel extremely nervous and stressed when they are in the exam room,” Professor LaClair said. “They take the kit home and have the opportunity to measure their blood pressure there. Or maybe they have a family history of high blood pressure and want to monitor and see what their blood pressure is.”
LaClair noted that nearly half of Washingtonians have high blood pressure, but blood pressure can be controlled through medication, lifestyle changes and a healthy diet. She encourages people to check their health care provider after taking their blood pressure to get a proper diagnosis.
Disclosure: The American Heart Association Western States Region donates to the Health Problem Reporting Fund. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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As part of Pediatric Dental Health Month, Virginia pediatric dentists are working to improve children’s dental health habits.
Recent studies show that more than 80% of Virginia children have no oral health problems. This may be partly because other studies have shown that Medicaid increases the number of children receiving preventive dental care.
Dr. Robert Bobby Runka, a pediatric dentist who has been practicing in Charlottesville for 30 years, said he has noticed more parents interested in teledentistry since the pandemic.
“You talk to your parents on the phone, you see photos, you see real-time video, you make appointments over the phone, like FaceTime,” Runka explained. “Because it was difficult to take the children with me.”
Some studies report that teledentistry is beneficial because it expands the reach of people who have difficulty accessing dental care. But a lack of access to technology can make that choice difficult. Runka predicts that in the future, new technologies and even artificial intelligence can improve children’s dental health.
Some dentists focus on developing good oral health habits in children early on.
Dr. Paul McConnell of UnitedHealthcare said parents typically begin dental care for children between the ages of 6 and 8. His advice is to start earlier, by age 1 or 2, to build lifelong habits. He pointed out that bad dental habits can lead to periodontal disease, a common trend later in life.
“Nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease, and this increases to 70% for those over the age of 65,” McConnell reported. “Daily flossing is important to prevent the onset and progression of periodontal disease.”
He pointed out that water flossers and electric toothbrushes can help prevent periodontal disease. To build good dental habits, McConnell advised parents to set a time for their child to brush their teeth in the morning and at night. He added that adults need to model their own good dental health habits for children to see and imitate.
Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on health issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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Missouri Senate Bills 1032 and 1081 would require public schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans, which advocates say will require funding.
The bill would require every school district in Missouri to develop a response plan that includes coordinating with emergency medical providers, training staff in CPR and use of defibrillators, and providing training. Pond Elementary School in the Lockwood School District is designated as an “emotionally safe school.”
Christy Newell, the district’s nationally certified school nurse, said heart-related problems are the No. 1 cause of death in the country, so a good level of preparedness is essential, but schools need to be prepared to enforce the law. He said he needs support and funding.
“Medical emergency response should be a priority for all schools,” Newell asserted. “Missouri House Bill 426 requires all school campuses in Missouri to have an AED and train staff. This is a job for the state of Missouri and for our legislators. Where the money will come from and how it will be done.” Will there be an execution? ”
Since 2017, high school students in Missouri have been required to complete 30 minutes of hands-on CPR training as a graduation requirement. Supporters of this Congress’ bill will hold a “You’re the Cure” lobby day tomorrow at the State Capitol.
Pond Elementary School Principal Andrea Darmon participated in early cardiac safety training and was part of the cardiac emergency response team. She said the school chose to become a heart-safe school in order to be proactive in emergency preparedness.
“Immediate intervention can mean the difference between life and death,” Darmon said. “We can also contribute to the safety of our communities as a whole. Our focus on training extends beyond the walls of our schools. And, hopefully, we can help individuals improve their cardiac performance in a variety of settings.” We want to be able to respond to emergencies.”
Darmon added that other life-saving mechanisms should not be overlooked, such as requiring epinephrine in schools and continuing mandates and funding to keep epinephrine in schools for students with severe allergic reactions.
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