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Feature
Carolinas HealthCare System and Novant Health
Have Embarked On a First-Of-Its-Kind Initiative
Improving Access to Health Care In Charlotte’s Underserved Neighborhoods
In 2015, Ophelia Garmon-Brown, MD, senior vice president of
Community Wellness and Education at Novant Health, and Alisahah will address not only medical care, but also the social determinants that
Cole, MD, vice president and system medical director of community can dramatically affect a community’s health and wellbeing.
health at Carolinas HealthCare System — both physicians focused
“People want a good neighborhood. They want to be able to go to
a grocery store; enroll their children in good schools; and have jobs,
on primary care and community health — developed a near instant transportation and housing,” says Dr. Garmon-Brown. “Without these
friendship. That friendship and connection soon blossomed into a game- things, there is no stability and that makes good health infinitely more
changing idea. difficult to achieve. We really are talking about the whole person,
After community health assessments found lack of access to primary because we realize health is about being whole and not just about going
care within six zip codes designated as public health priority areas, both to see an amazing physician.”
doctors were adamant something radical needed to be done and began Both Carolinas HealthCare System and Novant Health, under the
discussing ways the two systems could move the needle on community leadership of Cole and Garmon-Brown, are committed to improving the
health together. lives of this region’s most vulnerable populations.
Fortunately, Gene Woods, president and CEO of Carolinas HealthCare “We want to create a world-class community here in Mecklenburg
System, and Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health, had begun County,” says Garmon-Brown. “And I think the long-term vision would
forging their own relationship. It seemed the time was right to collaborate be that we create this sustainable model here in Mecklenburg County, but
on a project focused on improving health care access to Charlotte’s most then we move on to Cabarrus County or York County and work to better
vulnerable communities and addressing the social determinants that often the lives of people there.” Adds Cole, “We can compete on radiology and
lead to health disparities and dire outcomes. Both leaders noted that, while specialty care, but when we really start talking about our community
their two systems compete on one level, it is increasingly important to members, we are going to work together to build a culture of health.”
combine resources to tackle the challenges ahead.
Research shows that African-American and Latino populations in NATIONAL HEALTH &
Charlotte, like those across the country, are more likely to suffer from WELLNESS OBSERVANCES
both chronic and acute disease, and in the face of these diseases, have less
positive outcomes. Community health assessments done by Carolinas
HealthCare System, Novant Health and the Mecklenburg County Health SEPTEMBER 2017
Department all identified the same specific zip codes within the city
with higher incidence of chronic disease and higher mortality rates. In Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
addition, these areas had higher concentrations of poverty and lower Baby Safety Awareness Month
levels of education, all indicators of lower health outcomes. Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Fruit & Veggies More Matters Month
Because statistics show that clinical care accounts for only 20 percent Healthy Aging™ Month
of health outcomes, social determinants — including education, income, National Recovery Month
housing and transportation — are responsible for the additional 80
percent. As a result, both Novant Health and Carolinas HealthCare National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month
System recognized that making headway in these areas would require National Food Safety Education Month
more than just medical care. Addressing social determinants is critical. National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
“If you look at the issues our nation is facing right now, health is National Menopause Awareness Month
critical to all of them, whether you are speaking about education or National Preparedness Month
upward mobility or the general hope and happiness that people want National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month
Prostate Health Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
for themselves and their families,” says Dr. Cole. “I think it is extremely Sports and Home Eye Safety Month
important as we start to look at all of these issues that large healthcare September 1-7: National Childhood Injury Prevention Week
systems start to play more of a role in the social determinants of health September 9: PurpleStride Pancreatic Cancer Walk
and begin to shift from this notion of health care to the notion of health, September 10-16: Suicide Prevention Week
which really does encompass all of those things.” September 10-16: National Assisted Living Week
The two health systems have come together to change the trajectory September 17-23: National Rehabilitation Week
September 24-30: Active Aging Week
of these communities by gathering a coalition that includes businesses, September 27: National Women’s Health & Fitness Day
nonprofits, physicians and health teams, government agencies, community
leaders and grassroots organizations. Working collectively, these solutions September 30: Family Health and Fitness Day USA
8 | September 2017 • Mecklenburg Medicine