Where we live and serve
The Flint, Michigan community action committee serves Genesee County as well as northern Oakland County.
About our CAC
Currently, we have four members, with connections to trained Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, certified trainers, professors from University of Michigan – Flint, the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation, as well as hospital-based Professionals that are dedicated to improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.
Our “Why?”
The Flint community experiences higher rates of poverty associated with poorer educational outcomes, employment rates, crime/incarceration, and lack of health insurance. Residents who are low-income, identify as a minority group, and/or are uninsured are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues such as pollution, crime, property abandonment, lack of areas to exercise outdoors, and lack of access to healthy foods. There are limited Parkinson’s exercise classes in Flint and those with Parkinson’s must travel more than 45 minutes to see a movement disorder specialist or neurologist.
Our Healthy Parkinson’s Community Vision
Our community aims to address challenges that people with Parkinson’s encounter related to:
- Race & Ethnicity;
- Location of classes that are not geographically accessible;
- Specific exercise needs of people with Parkinson’s who are advanced in the Parkinson’s trajectory; and
- Cost of Services.
Our long-term goal is to design and implement equitable programs and services that support the health and well-being of People with Parkinson’s in our diverse community.
Collaboration with the Davis Phinney Foundation will provide support as we try to address these needs in our community. Ultimately, we want to create increased access to resources that embrace a holistic approach to living well with Parkinson’s.