HealthMeet Screens
Show Disparity in Care
San Francisco adults with developmental disabilities show a significant disparity in health and health care access according to data compiled two years into a three-year study. Part of The Arc's nationwide "HealthMeet" program, the study reflects results from 195 assessments that showed a higher number of falls, poorer diet, lower BMI and increased dental deterioration among participants. While the numbers are sobering, advocates say they are not surprising. "The Arc San Francisco clients who are part of our Health and Wellness program are getting the care they need because of our Health Advocates who support their regular checkups, medication monitoring and overall wellness," says Jennifer Dresen, Director, The Arc San Francisco Center for Health and Wellness. "By contrast, the people we screened who don't have advocates suffer. That's why we referred so many of these individuals--over 96%--for follow-up care. Many hadn't been to a doctor in years and this results in a host of health problems." To learn more about this study or our Center for Health and Wellness, contact Jennifer Dresen at jdresen@thearcsf.org.
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