Since 2022, the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) has been a lifeline for thousands of people in Western North Carolina (WNC), helping with everything from accessing healthy meals to vehicle and home repairs. This is important, as research consistently demonstrates that up to 80% of an individual’s wellbeing hinges on social factors like these.
Let’s dive into the data.
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) is an innovative new approach to supporting upstream social drivers of health while reducing the need for more costly clinical interventions by using Medicaid dollars to pay for services across four domains of need.
in the WNC HOP network
Served
Available
Patients have been able to travel to school, work and the grocery store.
Patients accessed the nutrition needed to manage chronic disease.
Patients have been connected with resources that promote safety and resilience, such as parenting classes and IPV case management services.
Patients moved into stable, long-term housing, and may have also gotten help with moving costs and the one-time security deposit, or home repairs on their existing home.
Patients with asthma and other chronic conditions can now breathe easier at home with new household items such as air purifiers and hypoallergenic bedding.
Andrea and Justin, parents of three children under age five, had a leaky roof, an old wood stove and kerosene heaters, creating a difficult home environment for two of their children who have asthma.
Mountain Housing Opportunities, a member of the Healthy Opportunities Pilot network, replaced the family’s roof and installed a safe, energy-efficient mini split heating and cooling system. These repairs have already made a significant difference in the family’s health.
Andrea shared, “Mold is a huge concern of mine. And to not have to worry about the roof is massive. I think it helps us feel less anxious, especially not having to run a wood stove with two asthmatic children who now need medication twice a day. It definitely helps me out a lot.”
Note: Information provided was done with informed consent and assent.
© 2024 Original content developed in partnership with Impact Health and the Mountain Area Health Education Center.
