CONCERN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

IN ORDER TO PROVIDE OUT-PATIENT HEALTH CARE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CONCERN HAS ASSUMED THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF FOUR PROGRAMS FORMERLY ADMINISTERED BY EL CAMINO HOSPITAL, CONCERN'S SOLE MEMBER. THESE PROGRAMS ARE: (I) HEALTH LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTER; (II) ROADRUNNERS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE; (III) SOUTH ASIAN HEART CENTER; AND (IV) CHINESE HEALTH INITIATIVE.THE HEALTH LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTER, ESTABLISHED IN 1986, IS DEDICATED TO HELPING SENIORS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PATIENTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES FIND THE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH. THE CENTER IS AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY 45 HOURS PER WEEK AND IS STAFFED BY A PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL LIBRARIAN. IT PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF FREE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDING ELDERCARE CONSULTATION SERVICES, MEDICARE COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, ASSISTANCE COMPLETING AN ADVANCED HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE, DIETITIAN AND PHARMACY CONSULTATIONS, AND HEALTH SCREENINGS. A FREE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM IS ALSO OFFERED TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RECEIVE HOME ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND CONSUMER HEALTH JOURNALS, MEDICAL TEXTBOOKS ONLINE, FREE ARTICLES, AND LIBRARY CHECK-OUT PRIVILEGES. THE HEALTH LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTER SERVED 11,095 INDIVIDUALS DURING FY2023.THE ROADRUNNERS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE, ESTABLISHED IN 1976, FILLS A CRITICAL GAP IN NORTHERN SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S SENIOR SERVICES BY PROVIDING PERSONALIZED, DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL AND OTHER ESSENTIAL APPOINTMENTS. DURING FY2023, 7,867 RIDES WERE PROVIDED.THE SOUTH ASIAN HEART CENTER, ESTABLISHED IN JUNE 2006, IS A RESPONSE TO THE EPIDEMIC OF HEART DISEASE IN THE SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY. SOUTH ASIANS, OR PEOPLE WHO ORIGINATE FROM THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT (FROM COUNTRIES SUCH AS BANGLADESH, INDIA, NEPAL, PAKISTAN, AND SRI LANKA) FACE A FOUR-FOLD INCREASED RISK OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) DESPITE BEING PREDOMINANTLY VEGETARIAN, NON-SMOKERS, AND NON-OBESE. THE CENTER SCREENS INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR RISK FACTORS, EDUCATES AND COUNSELS THEM ON THE IMPACT OF THOSE RISKS, AND CUSTOMIZES A PLAN TO HELP MITIGATE THESE RISKS. THE CENTER PROVIDES LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT INCLUDING NUTRITION COUNSELING, AND ON-GOING HEART HEALTH COACHING. THE SOUTH ASIAN HEART CENTER ADDRESSES AN UNMET NEED TO MORE COMPREHENSIVELY AND AGGRESSIVELY SCREEN SOUTH ASIANS FOR THIS INCREASED RISK OF CAD AND HELP PREVENT HEART ATTACKS IN A YOUNGER POPULATION. DURING FY2023, THE CENTER SERVED 2,020 INDIVIDUALS.THE CHINESE HEALTH INITIATIVE (CHI), ESTABLISHED AT EL CAMINO HOSPITAL IN MARCH 2010, PROVIDES SCREENING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY, AND SEEKS TO PROVIDE A CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE FOR CHINESE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILY/CAREGIVERS. THE CHINESE HEALTH INITIATIVE ALSO WORKS WITH CHINESE PHYSICIANS AND THE CHINESE MEDIA TO PROMOTE HEALTH LITERACY IN THE COMMUNITY. DURING FY2023, THE CHINESE HEALTH INITIATIVE SERVED 1,928 INDIVIDUALS.