The new University of Missouri System Health Care Finder online tool is one strand of a statewide Show Me Health and Well-Being initiative that aims to increase Missourians’ access to health care and boost the state’s health care outcomes.
The easy-to-use tool has mapped 205 UM System health care resources across the state — from a pediatric endocrinology clinic in Kirksville to Tele-Behavioral Health Services in Marble Hill. Using key words, zip codes and geographic areas, Missourians can locate these UM System health care assets and services near them.
Missourians — especially in rural areas — face acute health care challenges. Many people travel more than an hour to reach health care providers for routine care and emergency services. An aging and financially disadvantaged population struggles with high rates of obesity, smoking, heart disease, stroke, mental health concerns, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and more. Missouri is 37th out of 50 states in prevention and treatment and 33rd in health care access and affordability.
The UM System Health Engagement Task Force and the Show Me Health and Well-Being initiative are working with MU Extension, local communities and partners to help identify and solve health care access and preventative care and education challenges.
Broader efforts also are underway such as a new community health program area within MU Extension that will help strengthen collaboration across medical, nursing and health professions schools and services and link the NextGen Precision Health Initiative with rural health needs.
The tool is on the UM System’s Engagement Portal, a comprehensive online inventory of each university’s footprint and impact serving Missourians beyond the campus.