UVI’s Caribbean Exploratory Research Center (CERC) and the UVI Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC), have been selected to complete a comprehensive community healthcare needs assessment. The St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation (STEEMC), which received a $200,000 U.S. Department of Interior grant in 2014 to complete the assessment, selected CERC and ECC to complete the research. The study will serve to ensure that quality healthcare is readily accessible to those who need it most.
The official kickoff of the assessment was held on April 8. Persons living on the East End of St. Thomas, including those who live in public housing and have children attending public schools, will be covered in the study. Researchers will canvass select areas over the next few months and collect data which will reflect elements that contribute to healthcare disparities in those communities. The assessed measurements will support the health center’s pilot outreach program which will be designed to remove any barriers that prohibit at risk communities from receiving healthcare. For more information contact ECC at (340) 693-1020.