Public health Notes: Mobile Outreach Clinical Services Unit

For years, the Metro Public Health Department has operated preventive health clinics at sites across the city, along with the sexual health center, offering services to prevent health issues from progressing or appearing in the first place. With clinics stationed in Woodbine, East Nashville and the Lentz Public Health Center, many people are served each year. But for those without good access to those clinics, the new Mobile Outreach Clinical Services unit, or MOCS unit, could help ensure they are served.

In a county as large as Davidson County, planning locations for MOCS unit events is a big undertaking. Specific care is taken to make sure those most in need of MOCS unit services can access them. On Tuesday, the MOCS unit will be at Hartman Park Regional Community Center from 10am to 3pm. According to the CDC, 35% of the people living in the census tract where Hartman Park sits self-rate their health status as either "fair" or "poor", the two lowest ratings available. More than a third of those who live in that census tract are enrolled in Medicaid, the health coverage program for adults and children with limited income and resources. And information from the CDC shows 83.4% of those who live in the area receive recommended screenings for cervical cancer. While MPHD cannot fix every ill for every person, these numbers help underscore the importance of holding an event with the MOCS unit in this area.

Those who come to the MOCS unit for services have many options. Preventive services like immunizations and family planning services are available at all events where the unit is present, although some specific family planning options might require an appointment. Testing is also available for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, with treatment also available. Clients can also receive pregnancy testing, with counseling available from healthcare professionals for any services received by Metro Public Health Department staff. Appointments can be made for breast and cervical cancer screenings, and items like naloxone, condoms and gun locks are also available free of charge at all MOCS unit events. Those looking for specific Health Department services like tuberculosis treatment, pharmacy services and WIC enrollment can also be referred from the MOCS unit.

Upcoming events include Tuesday's event at the Hartman Park Regional Community Center, in addition to the following events:

• October 3rd - Cedar Hill Park from 10am to 2pm
• October 7th - Consulate of Guatemala from 10am to 2pm
• October 10th - The Barefoot Republic Community Center from 10am to noon
• October 13th - Hadley Park Regional Community Center from 10am to 2pm

If you would like to learn more about the MOCS unit or see other upcoming dates, visit Nashville.gov/mobileservices