Northeastern Pre-Med Students Making an Impact Today on Health Equity Programs

Linking Patients to Public Benefits

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, addressing social determinants of health has become paramount. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that shape their health. These determinants encompass a wide range of factors, including socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood, and physical environment, employment, social support networks, and access to health care. Many public benefits programs were designed to non-medical drivers of health like access to affordable utilities and initiatives that address hunger or food insecurity or access to affordable childcare.

Enter Link Health, a pioneering nonprofit initiative launched at Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department by Dr. Alister Martin, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. Link Health acts as an intermediary, connecting lower-income populations who qualify for public benefits with the necessary resources to bridge gaps.

Our program strategically targets the intersection of economic mobility and the alleviation of intergenerational poverty by ensuring vulnerable populations have access to essential services. These assistance programs include the Lifeline Benefit Program, which provides approximately $111 each year for discounted phone and internet services; the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offering up to $1,950 annually for energy costs; and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), providing around $2,000 per year for nutritional needs.

To advance our mission, we utilize community-centered approaches that leverage data, technology, and partnerships. This reduces barriers and connects underserved populations to the benefits available for improved economic stability and health outcomes.  We believe that if we are successful, such efforts can lead to increased enrollment and retention rates and better outcomes in terms of food security, access to healthcare, housing stability, and overall well-being for vulnerable groups. Our student leaders are the lifeline of this work.

The Link Health Ambassadors Program 

Link Health’s Ambassadors Program is a flagship initiative designed to leverage the enthusiasm and expertise of high-caliber medical and pre-health students. These students, including those from Northeastern University, work closely with patients in community clinics throughout Boston, helping them navigate and enroll in multiple public benefit programs.

The program is a win-win: patients gain crucial access to necessary resources, and students gain invaluable hands-on experience in public health and community service. The initiative supports the patients’ immediate needs as well as the broader issue of health equity regardless of their socioeconomic status, can access essential resources.

Making an Impact on the Community

Students participating in the Link Health Ambassadors Program are making an impact on the community by supporting  underserved populations. Students help to demystify various public benefit programs and assist patients in overcoming barriers to enrollment. By working directly with local community health centers and other community-based organizations, students are the vital links between the healthcare sector and lower-income populations.

One of the key aspects of the program is its focus on in-person engagement. Students serve on-site at partner clinics, where they can interact directly with patients, provide personalized assistance, and ensure a smooth enrollment process.

Ambassadors have already made a huge impact helping low income Bostonians receive over $512,000 in federal benefits since the inception of Link Health.

Opportunities to Serve as Northeastern University Medical Students

If you are passionate about the intersection of health & public service; we want you!

Link Health is continuously seeking passionate and dedicated students to join the next cohort of the Ambassadors Program. The program offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in meaningful community service, develop their public health skills, and contribute to the fight for health equity.

While the program primarily operates on-site and in person in Boston, there are also a few remote positions available. These remote roles are carefully scoped to ensure that students can still make a significant impact even if they are unable to be physically present at the clinics. Each program runs for 12-weeks and oftentimes coincides with the academic year.

How to Get Involved

For Northeastern students interested in making a difference, joining the program is a straightforward process.

Applications are open for the next cohort, and students from diverse backgrounds, especially those with bilingual abilities, are highly encouraged to apply. In addition to gaining hands-on experience in addressing social determinants of health, students will have opportunities to conduct research and present their findings at conferences or publish in medical journals. The skills and insights gained from this program will undoubtedly be invaluable in their future medical careers.

Other Ways to Get Involved with Health Equity Work

In addition to the Link Health Ambassadors Program, there are several other impactful ways Northeastern students can engage in equity work:

1. The Healthy Democracy Campaign

The Healthy Democracy Campaign is an annual nonpartisan voter registration competition organized by Vot-ER among healthcare education programs across the US. Participating teams receive nonpartisan civic engagement materials and compete to reach the most eligible voters. This initiative promotes civic participation as a crucial element of health equity, ensuring that underrepresented communities have a voice in the political process that shapes healthcare policy.

2. Med Out the Vote Pledge

Taking the Med Out the Vote Pledge is another way to engage in health equity work. This initiative by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) encourages healthcare students and professionals to commit to voting and to encourage their peers and patients to do the same. By pledging to vote, students can contribute to a more representative and equitable healthcare system.

3. We Got Us

We Got Us is a Boston-based, student-led grassroots coalition dedicated to combating racism and increasing access to equitable healthcare. The organization focuses on community-centered health education and direct healing initiatives. Students (high school to graduate level) and community members in the greater Boston area are welcome to join the volunteer team, contributing to efforts that promote racial justice and health equity.

Conclusion

The Digital Equity Ambassadors Program exemplifies how Northeastern pre-med students can make a significant impact on health equity today. By bridging the digital divide and connecting patients to essential federal benefit programs, these students are helping to ensure that all members of the community have access to the resources they need to lead healthier lives. Through their dedication and hard work, they are not only enhancing their own education but also making a lasting difference in the lives of Boston’s underserved populations.

For more information on how to get involved, visit Link Health’s Ambassadors Program. Join the movement and become a part of the solution to health disparities in our community.

Written by: Alister Martin, MD, MPP