Community Health Workers: The Backbone of Outreach
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the unsung heroes of public health. They’re the bridge between healthcare systems and the communities those systems struggle to reach. Five Health’s model depends on CHWs, and this post explains why. What CHWs Do CHWs are frontline public health workers who typically come from the communities they serve. They: Conduct […]
Back to School: Health Resources for Families
Back-to-school season means more than shopping for supplies. It’s also time to make sure your kids are healthy and ready to learn. Required School Health Items Immunizations: Florida law requires students to be up-to-date on vaccinations before attending school. Required vaccines vary by age but typically include: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Polio DTaP/Tdap (diphtheria, tetanus, […]
Youth Engagement: Building Health Literacy Early
Health behaviors start young. So does health education. Five Health is launching a Youth Health Ambassadors program to train high school and college students as peer educators in their schools and communities. Why Focus on Youth? Most health education programs target adults, but by then, many habits are already set. Adolescence and young adulthood are […]
HIV Testing: Why Everyone Should Know Their Status
HIV is no longer a death sentence. With modern treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives and cannot transmit the virus to sexual partners. But that’s only possible if you know your status. Why Testing Matters An estimated 1 in 7 people living with HIV in the U.S. don’t know they’re infected. […]
Mid-Year Impact Report: Six Months of Community Health
At the midpoint of 2026, Five Health has served more than 4,200 unique individuals across Miami-Dade County. This report highlights key outcomes, lessons learned, and strategic adjustments for the second half of the year. By the Numbers (January-June 2026) Health Access & Quality: 1,847 STI testing kits distributed (Home Access Program) 91% of kits returned […]
Healthcare Access: Your Rights and Resources
Navigating the healthcare system is confusing. Knowing your rights makes it easier. Your Rights as a Patient Regardless of your insurance status, citizenship, or ability to pay, you have rights: The Right to Emergency Care Hospitals must provide emergency treatment regardless of your ability to pay. You cannot be turned away from an emergency room. […]
Food as Medicine: Nutrition and Social Determinants of Health
Good nutrition is essential for health. Everyone knows that. But not everyone has equal access to healthy food. That’s where social determinants come in. Food Insecurity in Miami Food insecurity means not having consistent access to enough nutritious food. In Miami-Dade County, approximately 17% of households experience food insecurity. For households with children, that number […]
Scaling Community Health: Five Health’s Expansion Plan
After 18 months of operations, Five Health has proven that our integrated, social determinants-based approach works. Now we’re ready to scale. This post outlines our expansion strategy for 2026-2028 and the investment required to achieve it. Where We Are Now Current capacity (as of June 2026): Serving approximately 3,500 unique individuals annually Operating primarily in […]
Summer Safety: Heat, Hydration, and Staying Healthy
Miami summers are brutal. The heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous, especially for certain groups of people. Here’s how to stay safe when temperatures climb. Who’s Most at Risk Heat-related illness can affect anyone, but these groups are especially vulnerable: Older adults (65+), whose bodies don’t regulate temperature as well Young children and infants People with […]
Culturally Competent Care: Why Respectful Healthcare Matters
Everyone deserves healthcare that respects who they are. Culturally competent care means providers understand and honor the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs of the people they serve. The Health Disparities Are Real Many communities experience worse health outcomes due to discrimination, stigma, and healthcare systems that don’t serve everyone equally: Higher rates of mental health […]