DETROIT – Accessing quality healthcare can be a struggle for families. What normally could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars for healthcare services were offered for free on Detroit’s west side.
Kendrah Smartt is one of the millions of Americans without insurance.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 28 million people in the U.S. lack health coverage.
“I needed a flu shot, and I also wanted to check the oxygen in my blood,” said Smartt. She also needed to check her blood pressure.
At the Lavonne Sheffield Bridge Center Library, she was able to check off her list.
The Detroit Association of Black Organizations, along with its partners, created a one-stop shop for health screenings and patient information by hosting a community health initiative, “Stayin’ Alive.”
Many in the room are either uninsured or underinsured.
The healthcare workshop also featured the University of Michigan Mobile Digital Mammography Bus.
The American Cancer Society reports more than 42,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year.
“So, if you can think of Little Caesar’s Arena filling it up twice -- that’s the number of women who will die from breast cancer,” said Esha Price, a family nurse practitioner.
For Dr. Versha Pleasant of University of Michigan Health, the figure is too high which is why her team offers a genetic risk assessment.
“We’re offering a sit-down and a walkthrough of one’s family cancer history to see if they meet criteria to meet with a genetic counselor and if they do, we provide them with a referral,” Dr. Pleasant said.
The assessment, along with all the other services, are complimentary. For some patients, this may be their only annual healthcare checkup.
“It means a lot,” Smart said. “It’s very important when you don’t have health insurance to have these programs.”