CHC, Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association, and Health Alliance for the Uninsured partner to increase access to healthcare and COVID-19 vaccinations among uninsured in Oklahoma
Goal to increase vaccination rates through awareness, education and referrals to free clinics
Arlington (December 12, 2021) – CHC: Creating Healthier Communities today announced the organization is working with the Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association (OCCA) and the Health Alliance for the Uninsured (HAU) to support a referral pipeline of Oklahoma’s uninsured individuals to free and charitable clinics. The OCCA through HAU seeks to increase vaccination rates by raising awareness about the availability of nearly 100 free and charitable clinics and providing vaccine hesitancy education aimed at the uninsured population in Oklahoma, estimated to be about 500,000 individuals.
“Engaging in a wide range of strategies to address the barriers to achieving health equity is critical to our work,” said Valerie L. Rochester, chief health equity officer at CHC. “Increasing awareness and providing information that is not just accurate and science-based, but also relatable and tailored to the informational needs of community members is a key requirement for achieving this.”
“Oklahoma’s health rankings are in the bottom 10 when compared to other states for more than 20 years. Our uninsured, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lack of focus on whole person health have contributed to these abysmal health rankings. As we discuss access to healthcare, COVID-10 vaccines and address other social determinants of health, we have some exciting tools including the UniteUs platform to start connecting individuals to much-needed resources to improve overall health and wellness and elevate Oklahoma’s state ranking,” said Jeanean Yanish Jones, Health Alliance for the Uninsured executive director and Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association chair.
At a December 14 Summit, CHC will bring its nonprofit partners serving Oklahoma together to build trust and reinforce COVID-19 vaccine confidence among healthcare personnel in the nonprofit safety net sector and subsequently, with the patients they serve. Dale W. Bratzler, DO, MPH, is the Summit opening presenter. Dr. Bratzler is Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Administration and Policy at the Hudson College of Public Health, and Professor in the College of Medicine and recently appointed Chief COVID Officer at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
CHC will also provide email and phone engagement follow-up support to encourage organizations’ uninsured clients to take advantage of these free clinics. CHC will also encourage its nonprofit partners and network to join the Unite Us network for interagency referrals, increasing capacity and resources in the OCCA database. This work is all part of CHC’s nationwide effort to address the barriers to good health and equity.
CHC’s Oklahoma Nonprofit Partners:
Ability Connection Oklahoma
Ally’s House, Oklahoma
Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Chapter
American Cancer Society, Oklahoma City
American Diabetes Association, Oklahoma, Tulsa
American Heart Association, Southwest Affiliate, Oklahoma
American Indian Health Fund
American Lung Association in Oklahoma
Arthritis Foundation, South Central Region, Oklahoma, Tulsa
Autism Speaks
Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Inc
Children’s Hospital Foundation, Oklahoma
Sharing Tree formerly Christmas Connection
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Oklahoma Chapter
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Sooner Chapter
Epilepsy Foundation Oklahoma
Good Shepherd Ministries of Oklahoma, Inc.
Harold Hamm Diabetes Center
Hearts for Hearing
Hope Is Alive
JDRF International, Oklahoma Chapter, Tulsa
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Oklahoma Chapter
LifeShare Foundation
Limbs for Life Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma
March of Dimes, Oklahoma City
Muscular Dystrophy Association, Oklahoma
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Oklahoma
National Kidney Foundation Serving Kansas, Oklahoma
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA)
Oklahoma Lawyers for Children
Oklahoma Project Woman, Inc.
Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City, Inc.
Santa Fe Family Life Center
Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Foundation
Special Olympics Oklahoma, Tulsa
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (serving Kansas & Oklahoma)
Susan G. Komen, Oklahoma, Tulsa
The Children’s Center, Inc.
Toby Keith Foundation, Inc.
Wind & Fire, Heartland Heat Chapter
About CHC
CHC: Creating Healthier Communities brings nonprofits, businesses and communities together around a shared commitment to better health and wellbeing. For more than 65 years, CHC has worked together with partners to address the barriers to good health and equity and create resilient communities where everyone can thrive. CHC’s role is to enhance the capacity of nonprofit organizations, connect and convene diverse stakeholders, and harness collective resources and programs to activate collaborations that address root causes and improve the health of our communities. Join us at chcimpact.org or @chcimpact.
