CareSouth Carolina kicks off Community Health Center Week

CareSouth Carolina kicked off Community Health Center Week with our Annual 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, August 8 at Burry Park in Hartsville.

“Each year we look forward to celebrating National Health Center Week and the many people who help us provide care to the community,” said Ann Lewis, CEO, CareSouth Carolina.

The national theme for the celebration this year is “Celebrating Our Legacy Shaping Our Future”.  The national celebration comes on the heels of new data that shows health centers now serve over 24 million people (or one in 14 Americans) as the largest and most successful system of primary healthcare.

One of the bright spots in America’s healthcare system, health centers started 50 years ago as a pilot project during President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. Today, they have compiled a significant record of success that includes:

• Reducing income and ethnic health disparities nationwide, even in the poorest and most challenged communities
• Reducing infant mortality rates
• Producing $24 billion in annual health system savings
• Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the emergency room
• Maintaining patient satisfaction levels of nearly 100 percent

Health centers are also increasingly becoming the trusted provider of choice for many families – and over nearly 300,000 veterans.  Evidence shows patients choose health centers because they are convenient, affordable, and offer a range of services from a team of caring professionals.  Over 60 percent of health centers are recognized as patient-centered medical homes (PCMH).  Studies also show the quality of care at a health center is as good or even better than private practices.