Mitigating Health Inequity via Student-Led Free Clinic and School District

Partnership Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Gualberto Munoz1, Thomas Agostini1, Gabrielle Young1, Anita Ramsetty1,2
1
College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
2
Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 5 Charleston Center, Suite 263, Charleston, SC
29425

ABSTRACT:
Background: The definition of health equity has evolved to include the fair and just distribution of
health access1; this implies healthcare providers must have an active role. The CARES Medical
Clinic is a student-run free clinic that hosts quarterly Pediatric Preventive Care Clinics (PPCC)
to provide free vaccinations to students at risk for suspension due to incomplete
immunizations. PPCC started in 2018 through a partnership with Charleston County School
District (CCSD). Through this academic-community partnership, we have been able to identify
and reduce barriers to care and promote equitable access by assessing and addressing social
determinants of health2.

Methods: Patients were recruited based on vaccination records. Parents were guided through a
RedCap survey assessing demographics, healthcare utilization, and suspension-risk.

Results: Out of 139 patients, 134 of 139 patients (96.4%) completed the survey. About 97% were
uninsured and 82% had not seen a doctor in a year or more. 20%Twenty percent were at risk for
suspension because of vaccination status. All students at risk of suspension were referred to a free or
charitable clinic by the team, and only 3 students had been suspended.

Conclusion: Using the information gathered through the survey and patient-provider conversations,
we have been able to increase resources given to patients’ families. We started our Pediatric Night at
our clinic to help 30 uninsured children receive care and also referred parents to our clinic. CCSD
also helped provide information on community resources for further health services, education, and
economic assistance. The CARES Clinic and CCSD will continue this important partnership to help
mitigate health inequities in our communities.
Acknowledgements: Seed funding for the immunization clinic was provided by a private donor.
The CARES clinic is now a VFC provider which allows for access to mandated vaccines at no cost.
Funding for RedCap use made possible by the UL1 TR001450 grant.
References:
[1.] Gómez, C. A., Kleinman, D. V., Pronk, N., Wrenn Gordon, G. L., Ochiai, E., Blakey, C.,
Johnson, A., & Brewer, K. H. (2021). Addressing Health Equity and Social Determinants
of Health Through Healthy People 2030. Journal of public health management and
practice : JPHMP, 27(Suppl 6), S249–S257.
https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000001297

[2.] Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from
https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health