Rural residents are often a longer drive from health care services, whether that be a hospital, clinic or pharmacy. County health departments looking to reach rural residents for various health needs can take Walworth County Health and Human Services as an example.
With pandemic grant monies, Walworth County Health and Human Services acquired a health clinic on wheels, explains Deputy Secretary Trista Piccola.
The van travels to schools, businesses and community centers offering economic assistance, such as for health insurance or food stamps, senior care services, behavior health resources, and vaccinations — including the COVID-19 vaccine.
Piccola says the van is not designed to visit individual homes, but to get into smaller communities and set up shop in a small parking lot, for example.
The mobile health access point has been on the road since the second week of July. The department has back-to-school activities planned, offering childhood immunizations and the COVID-19 shot. The van will also be parked at the Walworth County Fair and farmers markets to offer mobile memory care screens and powers of attorney services.
Keep an eye on the department’s website and social media for a calendar of events where the mobile health clinic will be.
