Online Tool Helps Health Professionals Link Underserved Clients

Three million people in New York State lack health insurance and many more have inadequate coverage. Yet navigating the complex network of programs and services available for the uninsured and under-insured is a time-consuming and daunting task.

The Greater New York Hospital Fund has created the Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE), the first online tool designed specifically to address this problem. With the click of a mouse, health and social service professionals can link their underserved clients with a broad array of health and support services that meet each client’s unique needs. HITE offers a comprehensive, searchable database of thousands of organizations providing programs and services for low-income, underserved individuals. By typing in a zip code the user can find clinics and other health care facilities, access to low-cost prescription drugs, immigrant support services, legal assistance, low-cost health insurance and much more.

The Northern Manhattan Community Voices Partnership contributed to this work and is a significant community partner. The HITE project was funded in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. For more information on HITE, please visit www.hitesite.org