When hearing someone use the term “Public Health,” you may not know exactly what it means or what organizations in your community do public health work– but there are many organizations in Johnson City that help ensure everyone stays happy and healthy. The CDC Foundation defines public health as “the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.” While this definition is very simple, it’s also incredibly transparent.
When discussing organizations providing public health services, the first obvious answer is the health department. The Washington County Health Department provides many services, including health education, primary care services, STD/HIV testing and treatment, vaccinations, pregnancy testing and more. They are open Monday-Friday from 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and you can learn more or contact them by visiting their website www.washingtoncountytn.org/162/Health-Department or calling them at (423)-975-2200.
The next organization many ETSU students may be familiar with is Rise Healthy for Life, an organization focused on providing comprehensive, inclusive and accessible sexuality education for everyone in Northeast Tennessee. Rise can often be found tabling at different ETSU events, handing out condoms, menstrual products, and other informational fliers for anyone who wants or needs them. Rise also offers classes for teens and adults. You can learn more by visiting their website at www.risehfl.org.
Appalachian Mountain Project Access is another Johnson City-based non-profit that helps individuals who are low-income and/or uninsured access medical care. By partnering with over 800 medical providers in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region, Project Access is able to coordinate primary and specialty care for anyone who is low income and doesn’t have health insurance. Since 2007, Project Access has served over 15,000 patients and donated over $100,000,000 in specialty medical care. To learn more about Project Access’ mission or how to get involved, visit www.projectaccesseasttn.org.
The last organization is fairly new, but it’s incredibly valuable for everyone in Johnson City. Unity Housing of Johnson City is an organization that provides Medical Respite Care. Medical Respite Care provides support for homeless individuals when they’re discharged from the hospital. In many cases, when a homeless individual is discharged from the hospital, they’re still not medically stable or well enough to return to living on the streets or in a normal shelter. Medical Respite Care acts as a bridge: providing services that help people fully recover before they return to their living situation. To learn more about the services Unity Housing offers and how you can get involved, visit www.unityhousingtn.org.
While these are just a few of the organizations in Johnson City supporting public health, there are many more out there, some of which need community volunteers and support to keep going. This spring, get out there and volunteer! It’ll make your and your community’s health so much stronger.
