Collaboration supports equitable access to reproductive health in Las Vegas

 

People who are Hispanic can face obstacles to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. As a result, they experience higher rates of reproductive cancers, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections than many other groups.These statistics underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these inequities.

UnitedHealthcare and Hope Christian Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Las Vegas, collaborated to address the disparities in women’s reproductive health. They analyzed data to identify opportunities to improve access to care with a specific focus on Hispanic women living in a subset of zip codes within the Las Vegas area. Together with Promotor@s Las Vegas, a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of a network of community health workers that provide health education and resources primarily to Hispanic communities, they launched the Mujeres Fuertes Project.

The Mujeres Fuertes Project brings mobile women’s health services directly to communities, where women can receive services ranging from cervical cancer screening, HIV testing, STI testing, HPV vaccines, family planning/birth control, and SDOH screening. Hope Christian Health Center’s Mobile Outreach Clinic and medical staff provide on-site services, and Promotor@s Las Vegas an organization staff conducts outreach and education with culturally and linguistically appropriate support. This multi-year collaboration is a UnitedHealthcare Collaborative Community Impact program, utilizing a model of engagement that brings together cross-sector partners to address health inequities and foster sustainable, community-centric solutions to local needs.

The program aims to increase education related to reproductive health, reduce stigma around HPV and STIs, and improve access to preventive services and screenings. The program’s impact will be measured based on outcomes including the following:

  • Number of patients receiving preventive services and screenings
  • Connection to additional services such as labs, imaging, behavioral health care, and SDOH supports
  • Number of patients referred for mammogram imaging, and the number of mammogram imaging completed
  • Increase in education related to reproductive health and a reduction in stigma, as measured by pre- and post-visit surveys

In the few short months since the program launched in fall of 2024, over 100 women have already been seen across nine events. By hosting events at locations like churches and community centers, the project aims to meet people where they are and overcome barriers like transportation that can make it difficult to access care. Through Spanish-language support, Promotor@s Las Vegas community health workers help patients who experience language barriers, which contribute to inequities in women’s health care.2

The Mujeres Fuertes Project is supporting long-term, whole-person health for patients. Clinical services are focused on preventive care that impacts a person’s health outcomes long into the future. In addition to providing clinical services and education, the staff follows up with patients after events to ensure they can complete mammogram appointments and to connect patients to resources that meet their social needs, like housing and healthy food. By fostering strong collaboration, this project achieves a greater impact than any individual organization could have on its own. The Mujeres Fuertes Project exemplifies an ongoing commitment to collaborative, community-driven initiatives that address health disparities and improve access to care at a local level.

 

Patient perspective:

 

Maria visited the Mujeres Fuertes Project when the Mobile Outreach Clinic hosted an event at her church. During her visit, Maria received a range of reproductive health screenings and services at no cost, as well as a referral for a mammogram which she was able to complete at a local provider. As a result of the health screenings at the event, Maria learned she had diabetes. The team followed up to ensure that Maria was able to attend her medical appointments and ultimately receive the care that she needs to improve her health. 

 
 
 

Related content

 
 

Get updates on Medicaid topics

Be the first to know about relevant news & insights by subscribing to our newsletter.