Topic: Improving Access to Medications
Organization Name: La Maestra Community Health Centers; TCA Health
Organization Type: Health Centers
Location (city/state): San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois
Special or Vulnerable Population: Residents of Public Housing Communities
Challenges: Medication access, and medication adherence
Promising Practice: Medication home deliveries
Challenges on access to medication and medication adherence among health center patients were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges were also attributed to limitations on transportation access to a nearest health center or pharmacy, unemployment, and fear of contracting COVID-19. For example, people diagnosed with diabetes experienced higher rates of uncontrolled A1C levels as a result of not having access to their medications. To address these issues, LMCHC utilized their pharmacies to complete home deliveries of medications to residents of public housing communities. This promising practice was particularly beneficial for the elderly population and those living with disabilities in public housing communities as they are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and experience transportation limitations.