DULUTH — Patients don’t usually anticipate a visit to their health care provider could lead to getting a well dug for access to clean drinking water at home. However, programs such as Essentia Health’s Resourceful public resource directory aim to broaden the definition of community health care. “What you need to be healthy isn't always more medical care,” said Emily Kuenstler, community health director at Essentia Health.
“It might be having access to water in my house through a well. It might be being able to afford food or being able to have transportation to get to my job.” Kuenstler, along with Essentia Institute of Rural Health research scientist Tony Olson, were part of a larger team that helped bring Resourceful to the community.
“It frees up a lot of space and mental energy, time and money to take care of some of the other things that we all need to live healthy lives,” Olson said. “It's integrating with the community-based organizations and other resources in the community as it relates to health, not just integrating within the health care system.” In 2023, there were 89,238 patients in Essentia’s East Market who answered questions while being screened for social needs during their primary care and pediatric appointments.
Of those screened, 13,694 patients reported at least one need. ADVERTISEMENT “They are connected either with one of our community health workers or with a social worker who tries to understand more of that patient's situat.