LaChapelle, Ed.D., is CEO at the San Diego American Indian Health Center and lives in San Diego.
Last year, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration funded over 14,000 health centers, serving over 30.5 million patients — more than 24 million of whom were uninsured. Nearly 1.4 million of them are people experiencing homelessness, more than 395,000 are veterans and more than 9.6 million are rural residents.
Local health centers are on the front lines for all types of crises, especially those within vulnerable populations. One example of the crucial need for Health Resources and Services Administration-supported health centers is the HIV epidemic. Its funds play a crucial part in assisting with diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Health facilities examined around 3.5 million patients for HIV in 2022. Additionally, they established a 30-day link between newly diagnosed HIV patients and the proper care.
Additionally, Health Resources and Services Administration-funded health centers served over 2.7 million patients for mental health services in 2022. The need for mental health services is so prevalent that it also affects our youth — 70 percent of patients ages 12 and over received depression screening and follow-up plans.
In times of need, the medical facilities in our country have always risen to the occasion. They frequently serve as the first line of defense in the current opioid problem facing the country. Nearly 300,000 people received services from health clinics for substance use disorders in 2022. Services for Medication-Assisted Treatment were provided to 194,000 patients.
In a forward-thinking endeavor to tackle the health care requirements of San Diego’s underserved population, the San Diego American Indian Health Center has commenced a fundraising campaign for an advanced medical, dental and behavioral health facility. The proposed expansion, from the current 17,000 square feet to a vast 56,000 square feet, highlights the organization’s steadfast dedication to delivering exceptional care to the community it serves.
For more than four decades, the San Diego American Indian Health Center has been a cornerstone of health care support for San Diego’s American Indian population and other marginalized communities. With the objective of enhancing the health and well-being of Native Americans and other underserved communities through innovative, culturally sensitive health care, the center has consistently grappled with limited space and resources.
The demand for our services has consistently exceeded our capacity. With more than 22,000 patient visits annually, we have witnessed a rising number of individuals seeking medical, dental and behavioral health services, but our current facility is simply inadequate to effectively meet this growing demand.
The proposed expansion of the San Diego American Indian Health Center facility will not only address the present demand but also allow for future growth. The new cutting-edge facility will provide comprehensive health care services, encompassing medical check-ups, dental care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and wellness programs.
Our objective is to establish a health care hub wherein every individual, irrespective of their background or socioeconomic status, can avail themselves of high-quality health care services. This expansion is not solely focused on increasing physical space; it is centered around the caliber of care we can deliver and the positive impact we can have on lives.
The San Diego American Indian Health Center has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of culturally sensitive health care. By tailoring our services to meet the unique needs of Native Americans and other underserved communities, we have observed improved health outcomes, heightened patient engagement and a stronger sense of trust among our patients. Our holistic approach to care integrates traditional healing practices and underscores the significance of cultural identity in promoting health and wellness.
To transform this ambitious expansion plan into reality, the San Diego American Indian Health Center has initiated a fundraising campaign with the objective of securing the necessary funds for constructing the new facility. The center actively seeks contributions from individuals, corporations and organizations that share its vision of equitable health care access for all.
This is a collective endeavor, and we extend an invitation to all to join us in turning this dream into a tangible achievement. Together, we can ensure that every individual in San Diego, particularly those who are underserved, receives the health care they deserve.