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Health Leads

A Good Idea

Description

Instead of merely prescribing medication, the goal of Health Leads is to provide patients with access to various resources and services they need to improve their health. Doctors often prescribe medication to patients, however, without food at home or access to various other services, medicine alone cannot improve patient health. Health Leads allows doctors to "prescribe" housing, food, child care, job training, and other critical resources. After receiving this "prescription," patients go to the clinic waiting room where Health Leads' college volunteers are waiting to connect them to these resources.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Health Leads is to provide patients with access to various things, besides medication, that they need to improve their health.

Results / Accomplishments

In one year, Health Leads trained 660 college volunteers who were able to connect nearly 6,000 low-income patients and their families to resources they need to become healthy. Nearly 60% of patients solve at least one critical need within 90 days of receiving their "prescription."

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Health Leads
Primary Contact
Rebecca Onie
111 Huntington Ave, 23rd Floor
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 391-3633
national@healthleadsusa.org
http://www.healthleadsusa.org/
Topics
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Organization(s)
Health Leads
Location
USA
Additional Audience
low-income
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance