Neighborhood Health
615-227-3000
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2711 Foster Ave
Nashville, TN 37210
Organization Details

Programs

Budget
$11,650,000.00
Description
The goals of Neighborhood Health are to improve the health of uninsured and low income clients. Uninsured are estimated to be 20% of the residents of the area. Residents under poverty exceed 18%. There are wide disparities in health care for the low income and uninsured. Comprehensive services are provided to all ages, including acute, preventive, and chronic care. They include labs and prescriptions. Dental care, nutrition, health education, and counseling are also available. All are provided on a sliding-fee scale based on family size and income. No one is denied care because of inability to pay. In 2018, 29,351 patients were provided 89,229 visits. Neighborhood Health's prenatal services are expanding to the demand and the high pre-term birth rate and low birthweight. Neighborhood Health offers PrEP, a medication that can reduce HIV transmission.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$2,050,000.00
Description
Dental care is one of the most needed services among the low income in Nashville and few have any type of dental insurance. The dental program of Neighborhood Health began in 2003 because of the great demand. In 2018, Neighborhood Health's dental services served 3,633, primarily low-income adults. 95% had no dental insurance. Dental services include: emergency evaluations, preventive care such as x-rays and cleaning, restorative services including fillings, and procedures such as extractions. Dentures and partials are also provided at reduced cost. These are diabetic patients who often have gum disease. Pregnant women need dental care as their dental health can affect the rate of premature birth. Elderly patients often have bad nutrition because of poor teeth.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$3,000,000.00
Description
Neighborhood Health is the major provider of healthcare to the homeless of Nashville, serving over 5,083 in 2018. Medical, dental, and behavioral health services are provided at the Downtown Homeless Clinic, the Mission Clinic and through a mobile medical unit. Neighborhood Health also works with partner agencies to visit their sites and provide care there. This includes many shelters and lunch programs in Nashville. The vast majority of the homeless have no health insurance. Neighborhood Health provides visits, lab tests, and medication to ensure better health management. Over 41% of the homeless served are women and also include 150 children. Over 25% have hypertension and 10% are diabetic.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$5,050,000.00
Description
Neighborhood Health found that medical teams were diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety, as well as substance use and more severe mental conditions. Patients seldom followed up on referrals to mental health providers, so in 2003 Neighborhood Health added behavioral health services. In 2018 our 7 licensed counselors and psychiatric nurse practitioners provided diagnosis, treatment and medication management to 3,624 patients, as well as a 12-week intensive alcohol and drug treatment program to 100 homeless persons. An opioid abuse program was introduced in 2016 and by the end of 2018 had served over 200. Mental health and medical services are integrated. The patient is assessed by the provider and referred to behavioral health, often on the same day, reducing stigma and assuring medications and treatment are coordinated. Those with chronic illness and pregnant women are always screened by the medical provider as these patients are very prone to suffering depression and anxiety.
Program Areas Served
None

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments

Neighborhood Health addresses critical health needs in Nashville by providing individual comprehensive health care to people of all ages. We are meeting our mission by serving those in poverty and ethnic minorities who suffer the greatest health disparities and often lack access to care. Of the 29,351 that received care during 2018, 81% were under the federal poverty level, 89% were economically disadvantaged, 58% were uninsured, 22% of patients had TennCare, and 18% had commercial insurance or Medicare. Ethnic breakdown: African American 39%; Hispanic 23%, White 30%, and Other Identity 8%. A Neighborhood Health clinic is not just for patients when they are sick. It is a "medical home" providing each patient a full range of health service. This includes: chronic disease care and management, preventive services, pregnancy testing, family planning, immunizations, TB testing, STD testing and treatment, prenatal care, ultrasound, parenting education and counseling of teen parents, labs, pharmacy, violence prevention, translation service, counseling, and dental services. Of those 29,351 served in 2018: 17 years old or younger were 15%: women 15-44 years old were 32%. Neighborhood Health clinics are a cost effective way to deliver quality health care. One of the greatest challenges we face are the rising number of uninsured, now estimated at 20% of the population. This is accompanied by increasingly poor health, food deserts, and growing overweight and obesity problems, particularly in minority communities. This contributes to extensive chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, complicates pregnancy and is creating numerous other health issues. The complexities of poor health and illness continually challenge the primary care provider. More innovative programs that go beyond medical care, such as our diabetes centers, serve to help. However, such services are not paid for through standard insurance billing, but are still needed. Neighborhood Health will continue to pursue opportunities that develop comprehensive health improvement programs through innovative partnerships to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.