Families across the country are tightening their belts as high inflation is putting new strains on the cost of everyday essentials such as food, gas, rent and utilities, and medical care, which has risen by 8.5% since 2021. This means cutting back on critical doctor’s visits, prescription medication, and preventative care for the medically vulnerable.
In a recent 2022 poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, half of the adults reporting have difficulty paying their health costs. It also found that 50 percent of adults struggle to pay for health costs for themselves and their families. As a result, people are skipping medical treatments, and many are rationing pills or are unable to fill prescriptions due to cost. Ten million women in the U.S. are medically uninsured, and those who are typically pay higher premiums or have little to no coverage from their employers. In addition, more than four in ten women struggle with credit card debt incurred by health-related bills.
During the pandemic, many women had to leave their jobs to take care of their families, while others faced job loss at that time and continued to be unemployed or underemployed as the cost of living, searching for a job, and company cultures shifted.
These challenging realities can induce stress, overwhelm, and contribute to a decline in physical and mental health for the population, especially women, as they attempt to navigate life for themselves and their families during this tenuous time.
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Best Start Communities is committed to providing help and resources to the people of South LA on an ongoing basis to ease some of the challenges that underserved women face. Our core mission is to uplift, inform and bring communities and families together while offering tools to advocate for yourself and your children.
We’ve coordinated ongoing, free health and wellness services to Black mothers and Black birthing people living in Los Angeles to manage their health and parenting, and make career opportunities and affordable food and housing more accessible.
Our services include:
- Family Navigation
- Early Childhood Development/Childcare
- Parenting Classes
- Food Distribution
- Employment Services
- Housing Assistance
- Medical Services
- Mental Health and Behavioral Clinical Services
- Tenant Assistance
- Substance Use Treatment
- Domestic Violence Resources
By partaking in our wellness program, you will also have the opportunity to receive up to $230 in gift cards to utilize for food, diapers, cleaning supplies, clothing, and more.
For more information on the ways we can support you, contact Shavon Moore Cage by calling 323.291.6212 or email smoore.scpc@gmail.com.