Since 2003, the Neighborhood Health Project (NHP) has been providing free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings for those within the New Haven community. Throughout the years, it remains an interdisciplinary collaboration between students at Yale School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, and the Physician Associate Program.
In April 2012, NHP received a Yale University Seton Elm-Ivy Award for its contributions to New Haven, recognized for “providing education and improving access to health care for low-income patient populations in New Haven. … the volunteers serve a vital role as medical brokers, explaining the context of a patient’s results and offering simple steps to improve a patient’s health status within his or her means. By ensuring access to community primary care centers in the New Haven area such as Hill Health Center, Fair Haven Community Health Center, and HAVEN Free Clinic, NHP plays a central part in providing continuity of care for those most at risk.”
We went from a team of volunteer physicians to an interdisciplinary team encompassing APRN and PA providers as well. On average, we see 20-40 patients every Saturday, operating on most Saturdays throughout the year under the supervision of an attending medical provider.
During the COVID-19 health crisis, NHP continued its committment to treating patients in the community and transitioned into a fully outdoor clinic space for fall 2020. Upon guidance from the Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Nursing, and medical advisors, NHP executed a safe re-opening plan, returning to indoor service, never ceasing to provide high quality care thoughout the pandemic to those most in need of services.
Recently, with a desire to continue to enmesh ourselves in the community beyond our weekly clinics, NHP has begun participating in local community health fairs with organizations such as the New Haven Pride Center and Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services. In July 2024, NHP co-hosted the innaguaral Health and Wellness Fair at New Haven Pride.
“Our goal with the Health and Wellness Village was to create an inclusive space where everyone—particularly members of the LGBTQ+ community—felt welcomed to explore meaningful and relevant health resources,” said Allie Webster, MPH ’25, Neighborhood Health Project Summer Intern, who helped coordinate this year’s Health and Wellness Village. “The event was a fantastic experience, filled with insightful conversations, valuable health information, and lots of laughter.”
In light of our ongoing commitment to serving the New Haven community members who seek our healthcare screening services, NHP is now open until December 14th, 2024.