BRYAN, Texas — According to the Texas Department of Health Services, 61% of Texans delay care due to cost, but the Brazos County Health Department is looking to change that.
Today, Blinn nursing students conducted a free health clinic where residents could walk into the health department and get checked for vision, hearing, high blood pressure, and diabetes. These areas make up the most common health needs.
Blinn's Director of Nursing, Karla Ross, said, “We asked if we could do something here and the health district has been great with getting people here for us but we also wanted to help the community.”
Studies show that 26% of Texans lack access to a stable source of care and stronger primary care can lower healthcare costs, reduce hospitalizations, and lead to healthier populations.
“There’s some people that can’t always go and see a doctor or get that care that that they need so it’s a relay good chance for us to be there for them and kind of stick out for those in the community and just help them figure out what they need and refer them to places they can get care for free or that are cheaper,” student nurse, Mikeltie Schatz described.
The clinic was able to see over 60 residents and had several local resources available for them at the health department.
Clinic participant, Fernando Acevedo said, “I participated in all the health services, vision hearing, cholesterol, blood sugar all that section and I really liked it, I’m happy with the clinic was able to do”
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