Student Health Action Coalition
The Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is the oldest student-run free clinic in the United States.[1] It is run entirely by student volunteers from the Schools of Social Work, Public Health, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Dentistry.[2] The students, under the supervision of UNC doctors and professors, combine their skills to hold weekly dental and health clinics, provide rapid HIV testing services, and create sustainable community health promotion programs.
 Carrboro Community Health Center, the location of SHAC's Wednesday night clinic | |
| Abbreviation | SHAC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1968 |
| Type | Interdisciplinary health clinic |
| Purpose | To serve the health needs of individuals who are unable to access the health care system |
| Location | |
Directors | Elizabeth Freeman RJ Nemeyer |
| Website | med.unc.edu/shac |
Wednesday Night Clinic
In 2004, the Coalition saw 740 patients, more than 600 of whom came from the immediate surroundings of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Of the total seen, 83% reported that they were not insured, and that the clinic was their only source of primary care. Since its establishment in 1968, SHAC has attempted to redress differences in health indices between minorities and North Carolina’s Caucasian population; in 2004, almost 60% of the patients seen were Hispanic, and the majority of patients seen had at most a high-school-level of education.
Education and outreach
In addition to providing basic medical services, the Coalition performs the essential function of educating patients about healthy behaviors. The organization relies heavily on the training and resources available to its public health students for one-on-one patient counseling regarding diet, exercise, smoking cessation and sexual health. Annual educational and disease screening projects include well child clinics, Fiesta del Pueblo,[3] and work at several other health fairs, including FestiFall, Apple Chill, and Effland’s Octoberfest. Ongoing outreach projects include diabetic foot clinics in Hurdle Mills and nutrition education and cooking sessions at Carrboro’s Club Nova.[4]
HIV testing and counseling
SHAC also provides free, no-needle, rapid HIV testing services by trained counselors. HIV/AIDS education and personalized risk reduction is provided for all clients through pre- and post-test counseling. HIV testing is available for clinic patients and walk-in clients. In 2007, it tested over 400 people. The Coalition also provides services for those that test positive. It has firm links to both UNC Infectious Disease Clinic and social services for HIV positive people.[5]
Pediatric healthcare
The Coalition receives and implements grants from North Carolina's branch of Reach Out and Read, which the organization uses to educate patients about child literacy and to provide pediatric patients with free reading materials. In 2004, SHAC performed clinic referrals for over a third of the patients seen, a fact which indicates the organization’s interest in connecting the patients it serves with other established medical organizations. It is also dedicated to integrating its patients into the existing primary healthcare system, and has been enrolling patients in the State Children's Health Insurance Program for several years.
References
- "Medical Clinic". Student Health Action Coalition. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
SHAC's Wednesday Night Clinic is the nation's oldest student run health clinic. Since its inception in 1968, the clinic has evolved considerably while still retaining its original mission.
- "SHAC: Student Health Action Coalition". Student Health Action Coalition. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
The Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) is a student-led organization whose mission is to: Provide free health services to local underserved individuals and communities, partner with communities to develop and implement sustainable programs, and create an interdisciplinary service learning environments for students in the health science programs at UNC.
- "SALSA (Spanish-speakers Assisting Latinos Student Association)". Student Health Action Coalition. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
Spanish-speakers Assisting Latinos Student Association (SALSA) provides a forum for the practice and development of Spanish language and clinical interpreting skills.
- "Outreach". Student Health Action Coalition. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
SHAC Outreach works with local communities to assess and discuss ways for community members to get involved in maintaining and improving their health. This includes identifying unmet needs, partnering with groups to form sustainable programs that can help inform the community these problems, and providing support through materials, expertise, and volunteers.
- "HIV Counseling". Student Health Action Coalition. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
Free, rapid and confidential HIV testing can be provided upon request to anyone over 14 years of age... Trained student counselors provide education, prevention, and risk reduction information before and after HIV testing.
