Living with Chronic Illness
Chronic illness affects you in many ways. Chronic (long-term) conditions can leave you feeling constantly tired or in pain, limit your independence, and affect your ability to go to work or take care of your family. Most chronic illnesses can be treated and managed so that they do not interfere with your daily routine. If you live with a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, asthma or diabetes, see your doctor regularly to learn how to control your symptoms and manage your care. It is possible to lead a normal, healthy life when you have a chronic condition.
Our physicians treat chronic diseases and work with patients to develop the right healthcare plan for them. CFHC has partnerships with other local agencies to address common chronic conditions in our communities. These include:
HOPE program: More African-American and Latino men die of high blood-pressure-related illnesses than any other group in the United States. The Hypertension Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) team goes into the community to provide free screenings for body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. Men who have, or are at risk of having high blood pressure, are connected with our physicians, who will treat them and teach them how to manage their conditions. This program targets men, but is available for everyone. Click here for more information about the HOPE program.
Diabetic retinopathy program: If you have diabetes, you’re at risk of developing retinopathy, an eye disease that can lead to blindness. This program partners with the University of Chicago Medical Center to provide diabetic retinopathy screenings at our South Chicago location and the necessary treatment at the University of Chicago Medical Center, all free of charge. Click here for more information about the diabetic retinopathy program.
Vision of Hope Health Alliance: Many chronic conditions affect your vision. Your high blood pressure or diabetes, for example, may cause your vision to be blurry, or your medications may affect your sight. Offered in partnership with the Illinois College of Optometry, this program provides eye care to uninsured, low-income adults who have underlying conditions. Services include vision screenings, referrals to specialists and, in some cases, eyeglasses.
Project ECHO: Our doctors use state-of-the-art teleconference technology to communicate with specialists nationwide. They review patient conditions, diagnoses and treatments, so they can better care for their patients. This technology gives our patients access to some of the most renowned care in the country.
