Environment and access to necessities like food, shelter, and transportation have a significant effect on short and long-term health outcomes.
Secretary Teresa Miller
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Economic and social conditions like stress, employment, housing quality, and access to food have a profound effect on health.
Find health resources
Connect with a community health worker who can help you find resources for child care, doctors, food, housing, transportation, utilities, and anything else that may affect your health.
Meeting health needs in Kensington
Upper Kensington ranks last of 46 Philadelphia neighborhoods in health factors and health outcomes, according to a 2019 study by the City of Philadelphia and Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University.
With funding from the Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services, NKCDC has partnered with Jefferson University to train and hire Community Health Workers to address health needs in Kensington.
In two years of the program, 30 Kensington residents graduated as Community Health Workers, and 23 have been hired by NKCDC to conduct social needs screenings and match neighbors to health care, healthy food, housing services, employment opportunities, credit and budget counseling, and other social service resources.
Who are Community Health Workers?
Community health workers bridge the gap between health care providers and patients. They advocate for patients and help them navigate the health systems and social support services available in their community.
“Community Health Workers walk through the neighborhood, station themselves at events and meetings, attend programs at local organizations, and keep regular hours at the NKCDC offices to connect residents resources that they may not be aware of,” said Lizette Lewis, who manages the group.
Join a Virtual Health Hour
NKCDC’s Community Health Workers are hosting a series of conversations on Zoom and YouTube.
Social determinants of health
NKCDC’s Community Health Worker initative is part of a state-funded Health Enterprise Zone demonstration project, aimed at improving health outcomes across North Philadelphia.
The project addresses the social determinants of health—economic and social conditions that have a profound effect on the health of individuals and communities. These determinants may include:
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“A person’s health and wellness are more than just how they are able to care for themselves—their environment and access to necessities like food, shelter, and transportation have a significant effect on short and long-term health outcomes,” said Teresa Miller, Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services.
“We must empower health care providers, managed care organizations, and community partners to think innovatively and work together on a whole-person approach to put the people we serve on a path to better long-term health outcomes.”
FIND HEALTH RESOURCES
Talk to a Community Health Worker
Contact 215-427-0350 x110 or resources@nkcdc.org.