THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF OHIO CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE WILSON.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) is pleased to announce a federal grant worth $189,677 from the Department of Health and Human Services that will benefit Ohio University’s Appalachian Health Care Access Project.

The Appalachian Health Care Access Project will use the money for two primary objectives as it continues to work to bring affordable health care to medically underserved areas. Its objectives are to expand clinical preventive services and to improve the projects’ understanding of regional health disparities.

In addition to increasing the frequency of breast, cervical and colon cancer clinics, the project with help to provide chronic illness management and health education through the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Ohio Free Clinic and its Diabetes and Endocrine Center. In addition, the money will be used to conduct a seven-county Health Needs Assessment Survey, building on previous Ohio University surveys of ten other Appalachian Ohio counties. The seven counties that will be participating include Gallia, Lawrence, Belmont, Jefferson, Monroe, Muskingum and Noble. Once completed, the survey will help design targeted health interventions at the county level.

“Congratulations to Ohio University’s Appalachian Health Care Access Project,” Wilson said. “This area of our state is home to many people who work hard caring for their families but still lack health insurance. Health care should not be a privilege for the wealthy. I’m so proud that organizations like this project help us care for our citizens.”

This project represents collaboration among the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Community Health Programs and its Appalachian Rural Health Institute, as well as the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.