Advocating for Improved Access to Care: A Community Forum Recap

On Thursday, January 30, the Collaboration for Equitable Health (CFEH) initiative held its fifth Advocate Community Forum at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) in Philadelphia. This forum was a continuation of ongoing efforts to engage with community members and discuss the critical issue of advocating for improved access to care.

Philadelphia faces unique challenges in healthcare access, with the 10th lowest car ownership rate in the United States and the highest poverty rate among major American cities. These factors, among others, create significant barriers for individuals seeking care. The discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities that advocates encounter in their efforts to improve access to care.

Panel Discussion Highlights

The forum featured a panel discussion facilitated by Korey Johnson of Equipped Solutions. The panel included:

  • Jake Becker, Managing Director, Specialized Health Services
  • Tammy Leigh DeMent, Community Engagement Manager, SEPTA’s Service and Planning Department
  • Connor Descheemaker, Statewide Campaign Manager, Transit for All PA

Funding Challenges and Barriers: Panelists discussed how funding challenges have impacted SEPTA’s services and long-term plans to improve access. They identified technology, language barriers and historical redlining as significant obstacles to healthcare access.

Innovative Solutions: Jake Becker highlighted innovative healthcare solutions designed to meet people where they are, emphasizing the importance of public spaces and welcoming environments. One notable initiative is the partnership between federally qualified health centers and the American Heart Association to provide Self-Monitored Blood Pressure (SMBP) machines in homes.

Standard of Accessibility: Connor Descheemaker stressed the need for a “standard of accessibility” that removes language barriers. He also emphasized the importance of advocates making their voices heard to sustain effective pilot programs and secure increased funding for SEPTA.

Increasing Ridership and Access: Tammy Leigh DeMent discussed SEPTA’s innovative approaches to increase ridership and improve access, particularly for seniors, students and lower-income residents. One such program is the Zero Fare initiative, which provides free transit to 25,000 Philadelphians living near or below the poverty level as part of a two-year pilot program set to expire this year.

Community Engagement

Community stakeholders and members actively participated in the conversation. Topics included SEPTA’s Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership and Engagement (S.C.O.P.E) initiative, challenges and opportunities for engaging with SEPTA, the smoke-free SEPTA initiative and the gap between policy and community engagement.

The Collaboration for Equitable Health extends its gratitude to all the panelists, stakeholders, and community members who joined us for this important discussion on the challenges, opportunities, and solutions to improve access to care in Philadelphia.

About the Collaboration for Equitable Health (CFEH)

The CFEH is an initiative focused on addressing the leading causes of death in communities of color—heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. The American Heart Association®, the American Diabetes Association®, the American Cancer Society®, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health collaborate with local community-based organizations and healthcare providers to improve health outcomes. The Collaboration is driven by three pillars of action: Access, Activate, and Advocate.