Lieutenant Governor Gary Gilchrist recently toured a neighborhood wellness center on Detroit’s east side as part of the state’s initiative to invest $17 million in transitioning former COVID-19 testing sites into health and wellness centers. This effort is being led by the Racial Disparities Task Force, which aims to reduce racial disparities in healthcare. The wellness centers have emerged from the neighborhood testing sites established during the pandemic, highlighting the health disparities often tied to race.
One such wellness center is located inside Vernon Chapel AME church on Detroit’s east side, where community members can access free preventive health screenings to address racial health disparities. This center is one of about 22 neighborhood wellness centers in Michigan that offer services to individuals who may have had barriers to accessing healthcare in the past. Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist emphasized the importance of community-driven solutions to healthcare challenges.
The goal of these neighborhood wellness centers is to provide basic health services and referrals to community members in need. People like James Harris have already benefited from the services offered at these centers, where they can receive screenings for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol. By addressing these health issues early on, community members can live healthier lives and prevent more serious health problems in the future. Sean Wright also emphasized the importance of wellness in maintaining a high quality of life.
Overall, these neighborhood wellness centers are working to address health disparities in underserved communities and provide access to essential healthcare services for all. Through continued investment and support, these centers hope to serve as hubs of prevention and improve the overall health and well-being of the surrounding community.