Creating open access to exercise for low-income patients through a community collaboration for quality improvement: if you build it, they will come
Candib, Lucy M. Silva, Matthew A. Cashman, Suzanne B Ellstrom, Deborah R. Mallett, Mallett
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Abstract
Community health centers face the need for safe, accessible, and affordable exercise for low-income patients to implement self-management strategies. This study reports on one federally qualified health center's experience developing a partnership with a local YWCA to offer open access to patients for physical activity. Over a 24-month period, 1060 adult patients made at least 1 visit to the YWCA, logging a total of 14,276 visits. Among the exercisers, 112 had diabetes and made 3225 visits. Frequent users (> or =24 visits), had an HbAlc reduction of 1% (P = .02). Community health centers can collaborate with local exercise facilities to ensure that patients have opportunities to pursue healthier lifestyles.
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J Ambul Care Manage. 2008 Apr-Jun;31(2):142-50. Link to article on publisher's website