Neighborhood Health Receives $500K Grant to Increase Access to Cancer Screenings
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Neighborhood Health (NH) provides care to people who are typically low-income, uninsured, or underinsured. With locations in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County, the nonprofit – which receives support from the federal government – serves tens of thousands annually. Today (Aug. 7) the organization receieved a grant of $500,000 to increase access to cancer screenings. The amount will be given over a two-year period.
According to the National Cancer Institute, research shows that access to screenings and treatment is affected by income. Aiming to change that for NH patients, Carole Johnson and Jim Macrae, the administrator and associate administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, respectfully, visited the Alexandria location at 6677 Richmond Hwy. There, they announced the grant and toured the facility.
During her remarks, Johnson shared new data showing that health centers throughout the country served a record-breaking 32.5 million last year. In a report published this January, APNews.com found that they serve one out of every 11 Americans. Johnson also highlighted National Health Center Week (Aug. 4-10).
“We appreciate the chance, during health center week, to celebrate how much primary care matters,” she said, “and to come to a model health center like Neighborhood Health to see up close the way you have integrated resources.”
The nonprofit opened as one clinc in 1997. As of this year, it has 15. Family medicine, dentistry, pediatric care, behaviorial health, and more services are offered. To see all locations, click HERE.
