Improve Accessibility to Health Care

The impact of the pandemic on our healthcare system has drawn attention to the gaps in healthcare coverage in our community. Vulnerable populations, including those in high-poverty areas, had a more difficult time meeting their healthcare needs during this crisis for a number of reasons, including a lack of nearby health facilities, transportation, affordable healthcare, and a higher likeliness to be working with the public.

 

Relevant Rochester 2034 Strategies:

 

Inventory of health facilities, trends, and gaps:

PHS-5a. Work with health care and health planning partners to inventory health facilities in the city, and document major health conditions, trends, utilization, needs, gaps, and opportunities to better inform City efforts to integrate health into its policies, programs, and neighborhood development efforts.

 

Use data to better support ongoing health care efforts:

PHS-5b. Work with ongoing health care and health planning efforts to share City data and knowledge that could benefit those processes, identify new opportunities for joint work, and collaboratively fundraise to implement ideas.

 

Identify locations for new health and human services facilities:

PHS-5c. Work with partners to identify available sites for development of health and human service facilities that will benefit neighborhoods, particularly in underserved areas. Ensure that facilities are easily accessible, make the best use of existing facilities, and are compatible with adjoining uses.

 

Identify opportunities to co-location health and human services:

SCC-3b. Examine additional opportunities for co-locating community facilities and programs. Between the rec centers, libraries, neighborhood service centers, colleges/universities, fire stations, and even police stations, there is the potential to site future facilities on or nearby existing facilities. Various public services could be co-located at these facilities such as health clinics, senior centers, senior housing, childhood development centers, day care, after-school programs, and employment services. Other types of services may be explored, such as not-for-profits, satellite college campuses, fitness centers, or medical offices. Co-location can offer cost savings, community integration, and intergenerational support.

Utilize schools as an essential co-location for public services:

SCC-3f. Promote schools as platforms to provide multiple support services, such as extended learning programs, nutrition counseling, free or subsidized breakfasts and lunches, and health services to low-income families in the community.

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For the full "Rochester 2034 Pandemic Resiliency Strategies" report, click here.

For more information on Rochester 2034, click here.