Michigan has repurposed 22 COVID-19 testing sites into Neighborhood Wellness Centers to tackle health disparities, particularly among marginalized communities. This $17 million initiative, spearheaded by the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, aims to provide essential health screenings and preventive services in a welcoming environment. The centers, located primarily in southeast Michigan, offer routine medical tests and screenings, and serve as crisis and warming centers.
Virgil Humes, pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Wayne, emphasized the community-centric mission of these centers, stating, “The church belongs to the community. It should be a connector to the community.” The initiative also includes the distribution of Narcan and drug prevention literature at seven of the sites, funded by opioid settlement dollars.
This project is a direct response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black Michiganders, who experienced higher mortality rates compared to their white counterparts. By transforming these sites, Michigan aims to address broader health disparities, including access to healthcare, income inequality, and other socioeconomic factors.
The centers are strategically located in churches and educational institutions across the state, including Wayne County Community College District’s Northwest Campus in Detroit and Albion College in Albion. This effort aligns with the mission of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church to meet the community’s needs for food, housing, and healthcare.
See: “Michigan repurposes COVID testing sites to reduce health disparities” (September 16, 2024)