Gwinnett Coalition launches GwinnettHealthFinder.org to improve access to health care for uninsured and underinsured residents
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Gwinnett Health Finder is a web-based, mobile-friendly tool designed, by the Gwinnett Coalition in partnership with GNR Public Health, to help improve health equity and access to quality health care for Gwinnett’s uninsured and underinsured population.
Georgia ranks 46th in the nation for health insurance coverage, and Gwinnett County has the highest number of uninsured residents in the state, according to the latest US Census data.
More than 170,000 Gwinnett residents are estimated to have no insurance, and inadequate health insurance coverage is one of the largest barriers to health care access. Gwinnett Coalition President and CEO, Renée Byrd-Lewis shares, “Too many in our community are going without the care they need because they don’t know where to turn. Compared to people who are insured, uninsured individuals have more health disadvantages and worse health outcomes. The Gwinnett Health Finder is one way we are working to improve access to health care resources and advocate for our most vulnerable residents.”
Gwinnett Health Finder’s straightforward design allows users to quickly locate health care providers by city, zip code or service category, including adult, pediatric, mental health, dental and specialty care. Options are displayed with clear icons overlaying a map of Gwinnett County enabling users to easily pinpoint a specific provider and retrieve contact details, hours of operation, languages supported and other important information. Because transportation is also a barrier to access, telemedicine details are indicated in applicable listings. Gwinnett Health Finder is specifically intended to help individuals without private insurance gain access to care and does not include all health care providers. Gwinnett Cares, a program powered by the Gwinnett Coalition, selected only federally qualified health centers; community service boards; public health department(s); nonprofit hospitals; nonprofit community health centers; or private practices that accept Medicaid, Medicare, PeachCare for Kids®, sliding scale fee, self-pay or alternate forms of payment.
The concept for Gwinnett Health Finder was inspired by the online tool FoodFinder.us, which Gwinnett Cares leaders and nonprofits utilized to connect food insecure residents to resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The launch of the Gwinnett Health Finder marks a turning point in our approach to equitably address public health concerns in our communities. With so many residents struggling with inflation and the lingering effects of COVID-19, this health program locator will help uninsured and underinsured Gwinnettians find quality health services,” says Jack Griffin, FoodFinder’s CEO and Gwinnett County native. The resource launched in English, but Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Mandarin translations are underway and expected to be offered by late September.
For more information, including how to get listed as a health care resource, visit www.GwinnettHealthFinder.org.
Media Contact:
Vala Clark – 770-625-7901
Director of Engagement
Vala.Clark@GwinnettCoalition.org
Georgia ranks 46th in the nation for health insurance coverage, and Gwinnett County has the highest number of uninsured residents in the state, according to the latest US Census data.
More than 170,000 Gwinnett residents are estimated to have no insurance, and inadequate health insurance coverage is one of the largest barriers to health care access. Gwinnett Coalition President and CEO, Renée Byrd-Lewis shares, “Too many in our community are going without the care they need because they don’t know where to turn. Compared to people who are insured, uninsured individuals have more health disadvantages and worse health outcomes. The Gwinnett Health Finder is one way we are working to improve access to health care resources and advocate for our most vulnerable residents.”
Gwinnett Health Finder’s straightforward design allows users to quickly locate health care providers by city, zip code or service category, including adult, pediatric, mental health, dental and specialty care. Options are displayed with clear icons overlaying a map of Gwinnett County enabling users to easily pinpoint a specific provider and retrieve contact details, hours of operation, languages supported and other important information. Because transportation is also a barrier to access, telemedicine details are indicated in applicable listings. Gwinnett Health Finder is specifically intended to help individuals without private insurance gain access to care and does not include all health care providers. Gwinnett Cares, a program powered by the Gwinnett Coalition, selected only federally qualified health centers; community service boards; public health department(s); nonprofit hospitals; nonprofit community health centers; or private practices that accept Medicaid, Medicare, PeachCare for Kids®, sliding scale fee, self-pay or alternate forms of payment.
The concept for Gwinnett Health Finder was inspired by the online tool FoodFinder.us, which Gwinnett Cares leaders and nonprofits utilized to connect food insecure residents to resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The launch of the Gwinnett Health Finder marks a turning point in our approach to equitably address public health concerns in our communities. With so many residents struggling with inflation and the lingering effects of COVID-19, this health program locator will help uninsured and underinsured Gwinnettians find quality health services,” says Jack Griffin, FoodFinder’s CEO and Gwinnett County native. The resource launched in English, but Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Mandarin translations are underway and expected to be offered by late September.
For more information, including how to get listed as a health care resource, visit www.GwinnettHealthFinder.org.
Media Contact:
Vala Clark – 770-625-7901
Director of Engagement
Vala.Clark@GwinnettCoalition.org
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