Lehigh Valley Health Network

‘Street medicine’ program gets grant

The Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust has given a two-year, $200,000 grant to LVHN’s “street medicine” program. The funds will support the efforts of the more than 100 individuals working in the program, promote interest in street medicine and develop ways to provide mental health/behavioral health services.

Participating health care providers give 20 percent medical care and 80 percent care for and about the homeless. The free care includes basic medical supplies and medications, clothing, water and other items that will help patients get by for another day, week or month.

By helping the medically frail homeless to access care through six free, on-site clinics in shelters and soup kitchens, LVHN saw thirty-day readmission rates drop from 50.8 percent to 21 percent in the first six months of the street medicine program.