Health Center Program - The Todu Guam Foundation (TGF) is committed to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to all residents of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Western Pacific. Recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive, culturally competent, and integrated primary care services, TGF has strategically located its Health & Wellness Center in the central village of Tamuning. Since 2017, it has operated a robust mobile medical clinic that has served diverse communities across the island. Building on this experience, the new center will function as a vital safety net provider, offering a wide range of services. A key feature of TGF’s Health & Wellness Center is its focus on addressing the root causes of diseases. The center will provide not only conventional medical treatment but also holistic tools designed to prevent illnesses. These services will be tailored to meet the specific health challenges of Guam’s low-income, uninsured, and racial/ethnic minority populations. Hence, TGF’s proposal for FY2025 New Access Point is a crucial investment in the health and future of Guam’s most vulnerable communities. Guam is home to a diverse population with unique healthcare challenges. It has been designated by HRSA as a Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area. In addition, the Unmet Need Score (UNS) of the project’s proposed service area is high at 87.89 out of 100, with a high converted UNS of 18 out of a 20-point scale. The island's geographic isolation, coupled with a high prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancer, exacerbates the health disparities faced by its residents. The low-income patients without health insurance and racial/ethnic minority populations are particularly vulnerable, often experiencing limited access to healthcare services, lower health literacy, and higher rates of preventable conditions. With Guam’s current health center program penetration of total population at 5%, it is evident that the existing healthcare infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, leading to delays in care, increased use of emergency services, and poor health outcomes. The primary goal of TGF Health & Wellness Center is to expand access to high-quality and culturally competent healthcare services for low-income patients without health insurance and racial/ethnic minority populations. Through its centrally located facility and by bringing the service to where patients are via the mobile clinic, the services proposed in this project include: 1) a full spectrum of primary care services, such as preventive medical care, chronic disease management, pediatric care, women's health services, geriatric care, as well as dental, vision and enabling services; 2) integrated behavioral health services, including counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and social support programs; 3) team-based approach to care by employing a diverse workforce representative of the communities it serves; 4) continue its community outreach programs to educate the most vulnerable communities about the importance of preventive care, healthy lifestyle choices, and available healthcare resources; 5) enforce the sliding fee discount system that it established since its recent approval as a National Health Service Corps site; and 6) strengthen collaboration with local hospitals, public health agencies, and community-based organizations to sustain a seamless continuum of care. The establishment of TGF Health & Wellness Center is expected to lead to significant improvements in health outcomes for low-income patients without health insurance and racial/ethnic minority communities. By providing comprehensive, integrated, culturally competent, and patient-centered approach to healthcare that addresses the medical, behavioral, and social determinants of health, the center will help close the healthcare gap, reduce health disparities, and build healthier communities in Guam for generations to come.
