Social Determinants of Health

The initiatives in this domain support high-need patients and assist providers in providing care by addressing SDoH factors. The efforts include advancing health equity by working with sectors on the factors that influence health, including employment, housing, public safety and food access.

Backpack Medicine Program

We are partnering with addiction treatment organization Huther Doyle to provide medical care and drug treatment to the unsheltered homeless in Monroe County.

Huther Doyle focuses on assisting individuals and families seeking recovery from substance abuse disorder and addiction by offering rapid access evaluation and research-based, individually focused recovery and wellness programs. Since its inception in 1977, Huther Doyle has established working relationships with a number of healthcare, SUD treatment, mental health treatment and social service provider agencies.

As part of this collaboration, we are providing technical support to ensure the program meets its goals. This support includes consultation on data and analytics, and a program evaluation report.

Huther Doyle will pilot a one-year Backpack Medicine Program referred to as “Project Hope” to provide “boots-on-the-ground” preventive and just-in-time medical interventions for unsheltered homeless individuals with substance abuse disorders. A mobile unit composed of peers and medical students from the URMC Street Medicine Program will visit homeless encampments two-three times per week.

The program will leverage telehealth and a Mobile Treatment Van to provide wound care, blood pressure and glucose monitoring, and substance abuse treatments. This grassroots intervention program is designed to meet people where they are to build trust and offer treatment to those who are most vulnerable and least likely to seek support on their own or until they are compelled to seek intervention at hospital emergency rooms.

As a social determinant of health and trust-building intervention, Huther Doyle will also provide healthy foods to encampment residents.

Our Community Partners