In two years, over 200 mobile health events have been held in rural areas and agricultural workplaces in Fresno County and almost eight thousand patients have received essential health care services at the rural sites.
UCSF Fresno Mobile Health and Learning (Mobile HeaL) has increased access to quality health care for Fresno County’s rural communities by bringing mobile health clinics that provide no-cost medical services to people where they live and work.
In partnership with the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH), Mobile HeaL has developed strong relationships with farmers in Fresno County who have requested the team to host monthly clinics for their farm working employees, addressing critical barriers to health care such as transportation and cost.
Mobile HeaL Director and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education Kenny Banh, MD, is grateful for the opportunity to provide medical care to agriculture workers in the Valley. He says despite knowing the statistics, he is still amazed to see the number of people who have never gone to the doctor outside of the emergency room as an adult and lack basic health care in our region.
“Not only preventative health care like routine vaccinations but also the number of newly diagnosed and uncontrolled people with diabetes and people with high blood pressure is astounding,” said Dr. Banh. “If I can keep even a percentage of these people healthy and out of the hospital, it is not only great for the patients and the local community and economy but also reduces health care costs.”
In February, two years after UCSF Fresno launched a partnership with the FCDPH to provide mobile care to rural communities, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing FCDPH for receiving a 2024 California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Challenge Award for its Rural Mobile Health (RMH) Program.
CSAC’s annual Challenge Awards honor California counties for developing innovative and effective programs that address critical community needs.
FCDPH Deputy Health Officer Trinidad Solis, MD, MPH, appreciates the rural communities who trust the partnership and embrace the opportunity for their health care needs to be met. She believes the medical services provided by UCSF Mobile HeaL provide better access to screenings that allow for the early detection and treatment of infectious and chronic illnesses.
“Being recognized by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is an honor. It underscores the collective effort and dedication of our public health team and community partners in addressing the unique health care needs of our rural populations,” said Dr. Solis. “This acknowledgement strengthens the Fresno County RMH program’s commitment to continue reaching underserved communities.”
The RMH Program was launched in February 2023 with $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the Board of Supervisors. In collaboration with UCSF Fresno, and other medical centers, the program delivers no-cost medical and vision services through mobile health units directly to agricultural workers and residents in rural communities.
Services provided by the RMH Program include preventive care screenings, vaccinations, STD testing, and eye exams, ensuring that essential health care services reach Fresno County’s underserved populations.
In addition to providing much needed medical care, UCSF Fresno Mobile HeaL provides learning opportunities for medical residents and medical and pre-medical students.
