Monique Knight, Director of Marketing & Community Outreach, UnitedHealthcare

With COVID-19 vaccination efforts underway in San Diego, the pandemic has also shed light on health disparities and the urgent need to reach the members of our community that face barriers and challenges (such as language and cultural barriers) in accessing and using resources. Federally Qualified Health Centers, commonly known as community health centers, provide access to care, regardless of ability to pay, and often serve as the only resource for health care services in communities where barriers are higher.

Federally Qualified Health Centers serve one in 12 people in the United States and are instrumental in creating healthier communities. Unfortunately, these centers are often under-resourced and need help to provide services, including for COVID-19 prevention and vaccinations. 

"In many cases, Federally Qualified Health Centers rely on outside investments and funding to remain in operation, and there are immediate and long-term societal impacts without their vital services to the community," said Kevin Kandalaft, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California. "We are proud to contribute to the work of our San Diego Federally Qualified Health Centers designated as official vaccine distribution centers."

Working to address vaccination readiness, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California donated $75,000 to community health centers designated as official vaccine distribution centers in San Diego. San Ysidro Health, Family Health Centers of San Diego and La Maestra Health Centers will each receive $25,000 to help expand their efforts to vaccinate at-risk populations. 

"Our community partnerships are critically important in supporting equitable vaccine distribution in San Diego," said Fran Butler-Cohen, CEO of Family Health Centers of San Diego. "We are so grateful for UnitedHealthcare's $25,000 contribution to our response, which helps us reach those most vulnerable to COVID-19 with vaccine hesitancy education, medical provider support and walk-in vaccination opportunities in hard-hit neighborhoods."