A national shortage of specialty and primary care providers has limited access to care for many Americans with chronic diseases. Barriers to health care access are especially acute in low-income communities where people have public insurance or no insurance at all. Older adults living within these communities contend with elevated rates of diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, arthritis and other chronic conditions leading to disability, functional losses, and cognitive decline. The South Side of Chicago is one of the most medically underserved communities in the U.S. The number of older adults living below the poverty line is twice the national average and 7 of the 8 poorest neighborhoods in Chicago are within UCM’s primary service area on the South Side. In addition, there is high level of need for, as well as a national shortage of, providers with expertise in caring for older adults. According to Chicago Health Atlas, the current and future geriatrician shortfall in Illinois is estimated to be over 700 geriatricians and the ratio of primary care providers to residents in the majority of South Side neighborhoods is less than half of the Chicago average. Clearly, there is a large unmet need for access to resources and primary care providers with expertise in care for older adults.

 

The ECHO-Chicago Geriatrics curriculum improves health outcomes for older adults by creating a robust, engaged network of interdisciplinary care providers who share resources and education to improve health for older adults on Chicago’s South Side.