The State Health Department announced on Tuesday that twenty-two COVID-19 neighborhood testing sites in Michigan have been transformed into neighborhood wellness centers. These centers now provide free preventive health care services and substance use disorder prevention services in marginalized communities that are at higher risk for adverse health outcomes. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II visited one of the eight wellness centers in Detroit, the Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church, and emphasized that these centers help eliminate barriers and address racial health disparities in the community.
Originally established as COVID-19 testing sites in 2020, the centers have expanded their services to include blood pressure screenings, diabetes screenings, cholesterol screenings, substance use disorder services, flu testing, crisis support during disaster responses, and serving as warming and cooling centers. The centers are funded by $17 million from the 2024 state budget. A full list of neighborhood wellness center locations can be found on the State Health Department’s website.
Gilchrist expressed pride in the efforts to address racial health disparities and expand access to affordable health care throughout the state. He highlighted the importance of the 22 Neighborhood Wellness Centers in connecting residents to screenings, treatment, and other health services. State Health Department Director Elizabeth Hertel and former director of the Governor’s Coronavirus Racial Disparities Task Force, Tommy Stallworth, also joined Gilchrist at the wellness center in Detroit to show their support for the initiative.
Hertel emphasized the effectiveness of the neighborhood sites in reducing disparities and meeting the needs of communities facing higher health risks. These centers now serve as trusted entities offering essential health and wellness services to those most in need. The transformation of the COVID-19 testing sites into neighborhood wellness centers is a reflection of Michigan’s ongoing commitment to expanding health care access and supporting individuals and families in the state.