Medical laboratories provide a variety of services to their communities. The workers from these facilities also play a role in how they promote public health awareness issues. Here are some of the ways that medical laboratories support community health.
Providing Care in Underserved Areas
In some areas of the country, there aren’t enough medical facilities to care for the population. As a part of their outreach efforts, medical laboratories will setup clinics that treat this segment of the population. Free clinics will spring up that will provide basic care to those in need. Having access to care is one way to contain outbreaks and other public health problems. A little bit of prevention goes a long way in reducing medical problems down the road.
Research for Disease Indicators
Most medical laboratories utilize a database of known disease vectors and markers. This allows them to provide a point of reference for any new or emerging outbreaks or disease within the population. Research is vital in discovering new treatments for these diseases. Drug therapies can be developed that will better allow doctors to treat their patients. Medical labs provide this valuable resource to other healthcare providers. This ensures that you can receive the best medical treatment possible.
Testing for Compliance
Some medical laboratories test environmental and other types of medical products to ensure that they’re in compliance. This would include blood products to make sure that you aren’t receiving contaminated blood. Having this resource available also helps to keep the public healthy. You don’t want to find out that there’s an environmental disaster down the street from you. Many of these laboratories participate in providing the EPA with guidance for air quality specifications.
Outreach Programs
Public health plays a large part in what medical laboratories provide to the community. Some labs devote a portion of their proceeds to non-profit organizations that create outreach programs. These outreach programs promote individual health and encourage people to seek treatment. Many of these outreach programs are based in the underserved communities. They also advocate for continuing educational opportunities to encourage youths to go to school in the medical field.
You may not think that medical laboratories play that vital of a role in how they support the community’s health. They, in fact, are a point of reference when it comes to maintaining public health. Your doctor is likely already working with a medical lab to provide you with the best possible care.
