Via Research Recognition Day 2024 VCOM-Carolinas

Educational Reports

Benefits to Community Health from a Student Run Non profit Pediatric Wellness Clinic Margaret Munz OMS III, Owen Young OMS IV, Dr. Alexis Stoner PhD MPH Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Carolinas Campus

Discussion &Conclusions

Abstract & Introduction

Results

Utilized since the 19th century, health screening programs have been an effective way to identify risk of developing various chronic health conditions Pediatric health screening clinics are rarely performed as schools often serve as the intermediary for management of chronic health conditions in lue of a primary care provider. Therefore there is currently little data on the benefits of this type of event. A free pediatric health screening program was created by an osteopathic medical school in collaboration with a pediatric dental outreach organization to engage the underserved community This study sought to demonstrate the efficacy and need for a student-run monthly pediatric health screening program in an underserved pediatric demographic. • Retrospective study and descriptive analysis of de-identified patient data from 14 student-run health screening events • Outcome : efficacy of the screening program to detect chronic health risk factors in children in an underserved population • Participants : Patients of local free dental clinic • Patients offered a free health assessment following their dental visit • Pediatric patients screened for weight, height, BMI, vision, cardiovascular health, hypertension, asthma (via questionnaire), nutrition, and lead poisoning (via questionnaire) • Offered support for families through local resources and health counseling . Methods

This pediatric health screening program has demonstrated a basic level of efficacy by successfully identifying increased risk for chronic disease in the underserved pediatric population. The need for these screening events was highlighted by the identification of unrecognized positive findings. However, there were limitations associated with this study; the data was not collected with the intention of research use and therefore was not collected in a standardized manor. Due to limitations to protect patient privacy, we were not able to confirm if patients did follow-up with Access health and if there were able to establish care. We recommend further studies that are able to follow patients beyond the screening events to better understand if the health screening event is able to give patients access to regular long-term care.

Figure 1 . The health screening program assessed 124 children between October 2021 and March 2023 over fourteen health screening events. The patients ranged from one year old to 26 years old with a mean of 9.65 years old. Patients were predominantly Hispanic (79.67%). .

Figure 2 . Approximately one third (27.64%) of children screened had positive findings associated with increased risk for chronic disease. Nearly half (43.90%) of families that were screened requested information on ways to obtain health insurance and regular primary care services (utilized Access Health).

We would like to extend our thanks for Dr. Stoner and Dr. Redden for their support of this project.

Figure 3 . Of the one third of children with positive risk factors, 12.20 % reported positive findings associated with asthma and 8.94% had vision abnormalities. This preliminary analysis will be followed by a secondary analysis that further looks into patient demographic (primarily Hispanic) as well as age distribution across various risk factors.

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2024 Research Recognition Day