Health Center Program - Proposed Project: Delta Health Alliance (DHA) is a designated FQHC Look-Alike and NCQA recognized patient-centered medical home providing clinical services in Leland, MS, and surrounding communities in Washington and Bolivar Counties in the heart of the rural Mississippi Delta, one of the most economically and medically underserved regions in the U.S. The proposed project would support the establishment of a new health center service site within our high-need service area, to expand affordable, accessible, and high-quality primary care for the Delta’s underserved communities and populations. Having consulted with appropriate State and local government agencies, including the State Department of Health, as well as local healthcare providers, the proposed project was developed in response for the great demonstrated need for comprehensive primary medical care among medically underserved populations in our Delta service area. The proposed service area includes Zip Codes 38701, 38703, 38722, 38723, 38748, 38756, 38760, and 38776, in Washington County, MS; and Zip Codes 38732, 38730, and 38773 in Bolivar County, MS. DHA established, operates, and manages our clinical services site at Leland Medical Clinic as well as other health-related grant-funded programs to address people’s unmet health needs in the proposed service area and the broader Mississippi Delta. Having achieved FQHC Look-Alike status in 2021, this new application for NAP funding is the next step to improving access to care in our high-need area. Funding under the Health Center Program would allow DHA to increase quality care access in our communities, including expanding clinical staff to provide more primary care visits and increase the reach of our Mobile Medical Clinic; provide in-house dental services; and increase access for limited mobility patients by making our Patient Van handicap accessible. Proposed Services: As a FQHC Look-Alike, DHA currently provides and/or has referral agreements and contracts in place for all required Health Center Program services. Our proposed service delivery site, Delta Health Alliance’s Leland Medical Clinic, is located at 201 Baker Blvd., Leland, MS, 38756, and we estimate that 3,774 patients will be served at our proposed NAP site in 2026. Our service area is a Medically Underserved Area, as well as a primary care, dental care, and mental healthcare Health Professional Shortage Area. DHA’s clinical staff includes one part-time M.D., 2 family nurse practitioners, 2 psychiatric nurse practitioners, 3 licensed professional counselors, an x-ray technician, and support staff. Our clinical site includes a five-exam room fixed-site facility and a fully equipped Wellness Center featuring an on-site nutritionist, instructional kitchen, exercise room, indoor walking track, free weights, circuit training, and treadmills. Additionally, DHA operates a two exam-room Mobile Medical Clinic to improve access for isolated residents. Population to be Served: Our majority-minority population (67% Black) is marked by rurality and socioeconomic disparity. The primary factors associated with access to care and health care utilization in the service area are poverty, unemployment, insurance status, and transportation. More than one in four (28%) of area residents live below 100% of poverty and over half live below 200% of poverty. The 5-year average unemployment rate for our area is 8.5%, higher than the state and U.S. rates, and is over 11% in some zip codes. 14% of our service area is uninsured, and 52% receives public health coverage. In addition to these factors, lack of vehicle access and public transportation also compound the problem of healthcare access in our communities. As a result of our region’s lack of healthcare access, our target population experiences lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic disease than the state and country, as well as negative birth outcomes including low birthweight, premature births, and infant death.
