Healthcare access matters
Discover stories of patient-first specialty care.
ANDHEALTH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENT: KEITH
“Everyone should have access to care like this.”
Navigating life through constant pain
In 2014, Keith was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Pain took over his daily tasks, whether he was at work, being physically active, or just trying to hold his cup of coffee.
When he was originally diagnosed, he started on a biologic medication right away, but the effects of the medication only lasted around 2 years. At that point, his pain started to increase again and his mobility started to decrease.
An active approach to managing his PsA
In 2023, after dealing with years of pain, Keith decided it was time to take control of his health. “I’ve tried to manage it, but have been unsuccessful.” He admitted habits, like his typical diet, that contributed to the pain he was feeling. He knew he needed to make a change, and found AndHealth.
He challenged himself to fully participate in the program and actively make changes to positively impact his future.
“I get to be old, but I don’t have to feel old.”
Keith
While working with AndHealth, he learned that it’s not just about managing symptoms, it’s about being an active participant in his own healthcare.
AndHealth’s impact
Keith’s determination and AndHealth’s comprehensive approach has transformed his life. “My health is tremendously better. I’d say my condition has improved by 80%. I can walk up and down stairs without my knees hurting, my hands don’t hurt, I sleep better and overall I just feel better!”
Keith’s Results
20%
improvement in mental health
Measured using clinically-validated Global Health Assessment
33%
reduction of joint pain
Measured using clinically-validated RAPID3 scoring system
ANDHEALTH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENT: DON
“My future is bright and I have no pain.”
Don’s journey
About 5 years ago, Don received a call from his doctor and learned that his RA factor was high. He was referred to a rheumatologist, where he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. He immediately thought the worst as he learned how this autoimmune disease can progress.
Becoming an architect of his own health
He searched for a comprehensive approach to help manage his symptoms and found AndHealth. He quickly learned that in order to be successful, he needed to be the “architect of his own health.” During his very first call, he dove into his symptoms and his attempts at managing his RA. He met with a team of experts for lab testing and to learn about nutrition and stress triggers.
No more chronic pain
Today, Don says he feels fantastic! “Right now, my RA factor is normal, my inflammation is normal, my symptoms are very mild, I have more energy and my joints aren’t aching as much. I’ve gained so much by working with AndHealth.”
“Having access to care means the world. Having care so close to home is special.”
Don
Don’s Results
65%
reduction in overall inflammation
Measured C-reactive protein (CRP) in lab results
30%
reduction of joint pain
Measured using clinically-validated RAPID3 scoring system
ANDHEALTH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENT: LESLEY
“I have big plans for the future.”
Diagnosed at a young age
When Lesley was only 16, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. As a 4-sport athlete, the news was devastating. The doctor told her she would need ongoing surgery, which only made her more confused and felt like her diagnosis was “a big chain of limitations”.
Autoimmune unpredictability
Managing life with RA meant a lot of pills, a lot of worry, and not knowing what each day would bring. Mobility and unpredictability made planning any activity, especially travel, a challenge. Lesley tried lifestyle changes, holistic nutrition, different specialists and orthopedic surgery. She ran into limitations, like wait times and limited insurance acceptance. “For 37 years, I’ve been trying to get better. I’ve seen specialists, but it takes 7 or 8 months to get in to see them… I worked with a holistic nutritionist, but couldn’t afford it for long because they don’t take insurance.”
AndHealth transformation
After just 4 months with AndHealth, Lesley’s life changed. She went from depending on a motorized scooter to walking on her own to get to her classes. She doesn’t have to constantly rely on several medications. She learned her body can heal on its own and that she is in control and shaping her own future. She even has plans to travel to Slovakia to visit her grandfather’s homeland!
Lesley is getting better and better every day.
“Today my condition is under control, instead of it controlling me.”
Lesley
Lesley’s Results
22%
improvement in mental health
Measured using clinically-validated Global Health Assessment
Photos and video by Columbus, Ohio-based documentary photographer, Tariq Tarey.
Better clinical outcomes with whole-person treatment
81%
improvement in skin condition for psoriasis patients
Measured using clinically-validated PASI scoring system
39%
improvement in joint health for psoriatic arthritis patients
Measured using clinically-validated DAPSA scoring system
28%
improvement in ankylosing spondylitis patients
Measured using clinically-validated BASDAI scoring system
25%
improvement in joint health for rheumatoid arthritis patients
Measured using clinically-validated DAS28-CRP scoring system
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER CASE STUDY
Partnering with AndHealth gave this health center the tools to treat specialty cases and expand their patient population
Lower Lights Health, one of central Ohio’s largest community health centers (CHCs), provides essential care to over 14,000 patients across central Ohio. As a trusted provider of whole-person care, Lower Lights Health delivers services for primary care, women’s health, vision, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and nutrition – all on a sliding fee scale. However, when patients required specialty services, they would need to be referred to outside health systems where they’d run into barriers like cost, transportation, and months-long wait lists.
Lower Lights Health knew its patients preferred receiving all care directly at their CHC, where they had developed trusted relationships with their staff and providers. They also knew that for every patient they were currently supporting there were countless others in the community still in need of care. For those reasons, Lower Lights Health partnered with AndHealth to offer specialty care and specialty pharmacy services to the communities they serve, within the care setting its patients trust, and all on the same sliding fee scale.
“Lower Lights is all about delivering whole-person care, so we chose AndHealth to expand access to specialty care and chronic disease management. Our partnership will help us ultimately improve health outcomes for the underserved.”
Tracy Cloud, CEO
Lower Lights Christian Health Center
Health center profile
Location: Columbus, OH
Specialties added: Dermatology and Rheumatology
Launch date: October 2023
Outcomes for our partners
Access
100%
All referred patients are able to be seen by our specialists within 7 days of their referral, compared to an average of 180+ days.
Successful implementation
90 days
On average, the time between contract signing and seeing the first specialty patient is 90 days.
Community patients
2:1
New patients from AndHealth, relative to the health center’s existing patient census.
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