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The Family Van provides free curbside health services for Boston residents
Since 1992, the van has provided free health education, screening and prevention services, as well as referrals to medical and social service agencies to an estimated 50,000 residents of Boston's most vulnerable and underserved residents. The Family Van provides thousands of free screenings for hypertension, diabetes, pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS, which facilitates early intervention, promoting better personal health management and tempering the ultimate cost of these maladies. The outcome of these visits is often the discovery of important health problems, referrals to local agencies for insurance coverage, or even emergency trips to the hospital for previously undisclosed life-threatening disease.
The Van serves Roxbury, Dorchester (North and South) and Mattapan. The residents of these communities bear a disproportionate share of disease and mortality, particularly in cancers, diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, and substance abuse. 98% of the Van's patrons are people of color, one third of whom speak English as a second language. 53% of patrons receive government-supported health insurance and 10% are uninsured. The Van serves men and women in equal numbers, primary those in mid-life 42%, individuals in their reproductive years, 31%, and the elderly 25%.
The Van is truly in collaboration with its community. We collaborate with over 100 community-based programs including ABCD, WIC, La Alianza Hispana, DPH, The Boston Public Health Commission and many grassroots organizations. The Van acts as an extension of these vital agencies, bringing information directly to busy street corners. Our relationships crossover the city's competing hospital health systems, enabling us to provide care to all.
The
Family Van
1542 Tremont Street
Roxbury, MA, 02120
Phone: 617-442-3200
Fax: 617-442-3250
Questions about the van? Email the staff at familyvan@hms.harvard.edu
For technical questions, email the
Webmaster
Last updated:
March 30, 2006