Detroiters will now have access to public health services where they are needed the most — right in the neighborhoods. In a struggling local economy, providing public health services has become a challenge.
With the creation of the Institute of Population Health (IPH), local public health leadership is working to eliminate barriers to care and provide a solution for the city of Detroit and its residents. On October 1, the IPH will be moving its public health services to the neighborhoods of Detroit, allowing residents to fully access the range of health services the IPH provides.
As the financial crisis of the region has increased, the health outcomes of Southeast Michigan residents have been negatively impacted. In an effort to address the growing need for access to public health services, the IPH will move out of its main location at Herman Kiefer where Detroiters have traditionally accessed services.
Detroiters can now access IPH’s public health services at two locations: at the IPH North End (formerly the Considine Center) located at 8904 Woodward Avenue in Detroit’s North End neighborhood, and the Northeast Health Center located at 5400 East Seven Mile Road in northeast Detroit. Both locations are on direct bus lines and will be fully staffed. In addition to the new locations with expanded services, the IPH’s WIC centers will continue to operate at Bruce Douglas Health Center, Northwest Center, Northeast Health Center, Eastside Health Center and Harper Gratiot.
Services that Detroiters have accessed at Herman Kiefer will not change. The IPH North End will provide family planning, HIV testing, immunizations, STD clinic, substance abuse walk-in center, TB clinic, and WIC. The IPH Northeast is adding services and will now provide family planning, HIV testing, immunizations, limited dental services, STD clinic and WIC.
The IPH believes in bringing services to where people need them the most. These two locations were selected because of the ongoing health needs of these communities such as high rates of STDs, low immunizations, children who need services provided by WIC, high unemployment, and low access to preventive services.
Despite the financial crisis, the public’s health remains a priority vital to the future of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. The presence of IPH in the local communities of Detroit eliminates the possibility that residents may not have access to public health due to the local economy and challenges of the city.
For more information about accessing services that IPH provides, contact the IPH call center at (313) 324-9482. You can also access information on our website at www.ipophealth.org, or visit the IPH at 8904 Woodward Ave, Detroit, or 5400 East Seven Mile Road, Detroit, beginning October 1.
Loretta V. Davis, MSA, is president and CEO of the Institute for Population Health.
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