(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Mobile units take essential health care services on the road and directly into communities to expand access to preventive services, as well as care for illnesses and chronic conditions. The Central Ohio Mobile Consortium (COMC), a partnership between 10 local entities and health organizations, has come together with the goal of making high-quality health care more accessible for everyone through mobile health units. The group has launched the newMobile Health Locator app, making it easier for residents to find health care services nearby in real-time.
App users can search and filter by date, location, health service needed and insurance type. The app will also indicate if walk-in appointments are accepted or how to schedule an appointment.
“We want to meet people where they are, whether that is in the neighborhood or close to school, to help improve access to care and build healthier communities,” said Mary Kay Irwin, EdD, senior director of school health services for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is spearheading the project. “Mobile units bring a range of primary care or urgent care services to people who may not have easy access to traditional health care facilities.”
Mobile unit services for adults and children include checkups, sick visits, vaccinations, blood work, sports physicals, primary care mental health services, maternal prenatal care, referrals to specialists and urgent care services. The app features mobile units staffed by COMC partners: Columbus Division of Fire, Columbus Public Health, Franklin County Public Health, Equitas Health, Mount Carmel, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth, The Ohio State University, Central Outreach Wellness Center and The Breathing Association.
“The Mobile Health Locator app is a place where everyone in your family can find care,” said Lauren Van Petten, PhD, mobile consortium project manager. “Imagine seeing a mobile unit but not knowing what services it offers or having the confidence to go knock on the door. The app makes it easier to find that care with confidence.”
In 2020, mobile providers first came together to deliver care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group formed the COMC to make care more accessible, improve health outcomes and to offer support when needed during emergencies. The consortium works to identify where mobile units can make the most impact and expand reach. This work, and the development of the app, were made possible through funding commitments from CareSource and Franklin County Public Health.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the COMC and to contribute to the launch of the Mobile Health Locator app,” said Rebecca Barbeau, MBA, director, OhioHealth Community Health Partnerships. “This innovative tool will significantly enhance access to health care services for residents across central Ohio, allowing them to easily locate and schedule appointments with mobile health units in their neighborhoods. At OhioHealth, we are committed to improving community health and addressing health care gaps, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to making health care more accessible and convenient for everyone.”
Visit MobileHealthLocator.com to start using the tool today. To download the app, go to the app store on an Apple or Android device and search “Mobile Health Locator,” then tap download.
About The Central Ohio Mobile Consortium
The Central Ohio Mobile Consortium (COMC), a partnership between 10 local entities and health organizations, has a goal of making high-quality health care more accessible for everyone through mobile health units. Its partners include Columbus Division of Fire, Columbus Public Health, Franklin County Public Health, Equitas Health, Mount Carmel, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth, The Ohio State University, Central Outreach Wellness Center and The Breathing Association. The consortium works to identify where mobile units can make the most impact and expand reach. This work, and the development of the Mobile Health Locator app, were made possible through funding commitments from CareSourceand Franklin County Public Health.
For questions and more information about the Mobile Health Locator app, visit MobileHealthLocator.com, email MobileHealthLocator@gmail.com or call (614) 355-4240.