Pitt County, N.C. —  When people walk into the Bethel Advocacy Center in Pitt County, they can find a community garden with free fresh produce, talk to neighborhood advocates, and be seen by a doctor virtually – all under one roof.

The ECUH (ECU Health) Health Hub located at the Bethel Advocacy Center launched in 2023. It’s one of 21 locations across Eastern North Carolina bridging the gap in access to care within rural communities. ECUH Health Hubs have computers to offer telehealth services such as ECU HealthNow and MyChart to keep track of their health progress.

“Individuals are able to see a provider virtually  rather than having to worry about getting into a doctor’s office, going to an urgent care or the emergency room,” said community engagement coordinator, Kasey Perkins.

ECU Health uses the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a system that uses data to identify communities impacted by social determinants of health (SDOH). Each hub has a community resource guidebook filled with contacts and connections to address some of the greatest needs, like transportation, education, employment and more. Active in Pitt, Martin, Edgecombe and Beaufort counties, ECUH Health Hubs serve as both a gateway to healthcare and anchors to community resources.

“In areas like Bethel and other rural communities, SDOH barriers lead to delays in care  and overall health and wellbeing,” said community engagement coordinator, Charmaine Reeder.  “With Pitt County being a huge and diverse county, we have a lot of acute and chronic health conditions; tools such as MyChart and ECU Health Now address these barriers.”

Community partnerships help ECUH Health Hubs make a greater impact. Each hub is placed within community organizations like churches, libraries, barber shops and community centers. In Bethel, community members trust the Bethel Advocacy Center and Camilla Griggs, a long-time advocate. When ECU Health launched the hub, Griggs spread the word about its resources throughout the community, drawing more people in.

“ECU Health decided to come to us, and I’m glad they did because it’s formed a rapport with citizens and their health. It’s built a rapport with the community and this center to know they can come somewhere and address health issues,” said Bethel Advocacy Center coordinator, Camilla Griggs.

In addition to virtual care and the community resource guidebook, community members can take part in Know It, Control It, a health education program for controlling high blood pressure. HealThy Neighbor is another community program teaching CPR training and AED  classes in nearby churches, ensuring more people know the life-saving measure in case of emergencies.

Looking forward, ECU Health hopes to open Health Hubs in all 29 counties it serves, all while building trusting relationships and, providing health education for all communities.

More information on ECUH Health Hubs here.