Project Overview

Project Overview

DeSoto Health Resource, Inc. (DHRI) had originally planned on opening it’s doors to DeSoto County residents on August 31, 2004, but this was delayed due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Charley. The building that housed the DHRI offices was damaged due to the storm. The offices will be temporarily located in another mobile unit on the same property. DHRI will be open by the end of October. The mission of the organization is to improve the quality of life for all residents of DeSoto County by implementing creative healthcare solutions in collaboration with interested and committed community partners.

DeSoto Health Resource, Inc. (DHRI) had originally planned on opening it’s doors to DeSoto County residents on August 31, 2004, but this was delayed due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Charley. The building that housed the DHRI offices was damaged due to the storm. The offices will be temporarily located in another mobile unit on the same property. DHRI will be open by the end of October. The mission of the organization is to improve the quality of life for all residents of DeSoto County by implementing creative healthcare solutions in collaboration with interested and committed community partners.

The Network would like to recognize and thank the following organizations for their gracious contribution to this important program:

* Publix Supermarkets made a one time contribution of $500.
* Kash N’ Karry made a one time contribution of $1,000
* DHRI also received $25,000 through FEMA, which will be dispersed by the United
Way.

If you would like to make a donation to DHRI or volunteer your time please contact Sue Leversee-Grossman, Program Coordinator, at 863-494-5041. The program will be open on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. The office is located at 1901 S.E. Baker Street in Arcadia

The Network is facilitating the establishment of a prescription assistance program in DeSoto County to provide assistance to low income patients that meet financial eligibility criteria, and who do not have any other sufficient means to pay for their medication's). According to the Agency for HealthCare Administration's State Center for Health Statistics (AHCA, 1999), among health care services, expenditures for medicinal drugs had the highest percentage increase at 11.7%. This increase especially impacts rural communities, like DeSoto County. As shown below, DeSoto County has 9,019 (28%) of residents that are uninsured. Additionally, 7,601 (23.6%) of the residents live below the federal poverty level. The county has received federal designations of medically underserved population and health professional shortage area. High unemployment coupled with low wages and a local economy dependent upon agriculture contribute to the pressing need for prescription assistance for the county's rural residents. As is true with the rest of the United States, DeSoto County has residents who are uninsured and underinsured. The program will have a voucher system under which a pharmacy partner will provide urgently needed medications to a resident and be reimbursed by the Prescription Assistance Program. Residents with chronic needs will be helped to apply for assistance through Pharmaceutical Compassionate Assistance Programs, but that intervention cannot be used for a resident who is acutely ill or just discharged from the hospital with a need for continuing medication. The Prescription Assistance Program will be located in Arcadia, Florida, in DeSoto County. The demographic make-up of the county's population demonstrates the existence of many high risk groups within the population (Information extracted from 2000 U.S.Census & 2000-2001 District 8 Health Plan from the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Inc.):

Percent

Age Adjusted Death Rates/100,000 Population
 

    Cause                                    DeSoto County                                       State of Florida
                                               All Races       Non-Whites                                All Races
All Causes                516.55                 729.85                     463.95
Heart Disease         123.40                 188.84                      118.21
Cancer                       124.96                 184.02                      122.91
Stroke                          24.79                    46.28                        22.05
Lung Disease             21.49                    10.01                        19.59
Pneumonia &Influenza      14.41                    27.50                         8.71
Diabetes                      17.97                    27.48                        11.49
HIV                                 8.07                    21.61                        13.44
Liver Disease             10.71                   10.35                          8.55


The health disparities identified above, particularly in the areas of heart disease, cancer, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, diabetes mellitus, and HIV warrant a strong focus on closing the healthcare gap in such disparities. The long term focus of the program is aimed at the prevention of detrimental outcomes such as repeat ER visits, hospital admissions, further deterioration in health, or death.

To visit their website, please visit www.desotohealth.org.