Health Education:
At CFHC, we not only treat patients when they are sick, we also teach them about their health and well-being, and what to do to stay healthy. Our health education programs address common practices that help our patients make life choices that will benefit them and their families in the long run. Some of our health education initiatives include:
Nutrition: Nurse educators and nutritionists work with physicians to conduct individual and group classes on proper nutrition and improving your diet and eating habits. Good nutrition provides energy, vitamins and minerals and can help you battle the symptoms of many chronic conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. When adults develop healthy eating habits, children and families will follow suit. Teaching kids to eat right and stay active will keep them from reaching dangerous weight levels and instill in them lifelong awareness of the importance of good nutrition.
Breast-feeding: The benefits of breast-feeding during the first 12 months of life cannot be disputed. Breast milk is natural, nutritious and boosts babies’ immune systems, giving them a healthy start. Breast-feeding also keeps moms healthier, helps them lose weight and bond with their new babies. Our breast-feeding counselors encourage new moms to breast-feed their babies by teaching them about the importance of breast-feeding, as well as the right techniques to make the practice easier for them. Counselors work with moms at the hospital after delivery, during their office visits and even in their homes to provide the best support and care possible.
Outreach Services
The CFHC outreach team consists of eight community health educators who go into the communities we serve to conduct free screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, HIV/AIDS and body mass index. You can find our outreach team at local health fairs and at community partner working to educate and engage the community on how to stay healthy, identify risk factors for chronic diseases and prevent illness.
Support Services:
Homeless Primary Care: Many homeless people may suffer from mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction or suffer from multiple health issues that go untreated. Many lack many basic resources including transportation, making access to healthcare very difficult. Our mobile health team comprised of nurse practitioners and other staff provides medical exams at more than 25 homeless shelters throughout Chicago. When follow-up care is required, we connect patients with our health centers or refer them to other community programs to meet their needs.
Health Leads: When patients need more than healthcare, our physicians can refer them to the Health Leads office at CFHC in South Chicago. There, a team of college volunteers help connect patients with the following resources:
- Affordable housing
- Employment
- GED classes
- Job training
- Legal assistance
- Utility assistance
- Food pantries
- Public aid assistance
Health Leads is a service available to all CFHC patients, as well as residents of the surrounding communities. The Health Leads Office is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturday at CFHC South Chicago, 9119 S. Exchange. For more information about Health Leads call 773-768-5000, ext. 1055 or click here.
