Great news!
HRSA, the federal agency that administers more than 1,400 health centers across the country, has awarded Harlem United a gold badge! This means that we are in the top 10% of health centers like ours.
But what does that really mean? Well, here are just a few ways we earned gold:
97% of patients are screened for HIV. Since 1988, we have been experts in HIV care, and that legacy continues today. And it’s not just because of tradition – 65% of our patients are Black, and rates of new HIV diagnose are higher in Black communities than any other racial group. HIV screening is essential for the population we serve.
We increased colorectal cancer screening by 15%. The majority of our clients are Black and because of structural racism, health disparities persist: Black Americans are 20% likelier to get colorectal cancer and have a 40% higher death rate.
We increased breast cancer screening by 17%. Breast cancer is the deadliest cancer for Black women, who make up a large proportion of our patients. Screening and early detection can make a huge difference in treating this deadly disease.
And that’s just a small sampling of what we do! Across the board, from primary care to therapy, from pediatrics to dentistry, in our health centers and on the streets, we are providing world-class care.
Congratulations and thank you to all our health services staff whose dedication resulted in this gold badge!
We are committed to providing quality care every single day. We are honored to serve our beloved neighbors in Harlem, the Bronx, and beyond – they deserve the very best, so we give it to them! Our thanks to HRSA for recognizing our efforts.