Recorded presentation

Consuelo Dungca, RN, EdD, Office of Clinical Affairs, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, Office of Clinical Affairs, Central Office, 125 Worth Street , Suite 427, New York, NY 10013, 212 7883397, dungcac@NYCHHC.ORG and Kate McGrath, Communications and Marketing, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, 125 Worth Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10013.

NYCHHC’s is a municipal health care system with 21 facilities (11 acute care facilities, 6 diagnostic and treatment centers, 4 skilled nursing facilities ) whose patient population is mostly minorities, uninsured and undocumented with a high prevalence of chronic diseases. Early disease detection/prevention is the key that has not yet been fully addressed. As a result, the Corporation decided to implement strategies to increase access to care for early detection and prevention through two programs. “Take Care NY”, an initiative for the community to bring themselves and their relatives for early detection and preventative care including asthma, HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The “HeartBeat Community Cardiology” initiative promotes to reduce the risk of heart attacks. High incidence of cardiovascular diseases have been documented in people of color in NYC. The Heartbeat campaign focused on community outreach to screen for early detection of cardiovascular diseases. Once identified, referrals are made and patients are treated expeditiously. These two initiatives were promoted through a variety of media outlets: newspaper ads, outdoor advertising, radio, television, news coverage, community based flea market/street fairs, healthcare vans, and others. Through these campaigns, it has been documented that there was an increased number of referrals for patients with symptoms of cardiovascular diseases by 80% in all NYCHHC facilities.

At the end of this presentation, the participants will identify the importance of promoting early access to care in prevention of chronic diseases; and innovative strategies to early detection and referrals for specialized care.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this presentation, the participants will identify the importance of promoting early access to care in prevention of chronic diseases; and innovative strategies to early detection and referrals for specialized care.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Community Outreach

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation