There is a high disease burden among African Americans and individuals in the low-SES cohorts in cities across the United States (Franks, Muennig, Lubetkin, & Jia, 2006). The inability to afford medical care often translates to undiagnosed and poorly managed medical ailments (Halpern et al., 2008; Heron, Stettner, & Haley, 2006; Town, Wholey, Feldman, & Burns, 2007). We provided an opportunity for comprehensive medical examinations and clinical laboratory testing to those who otherwise could not afford such procedures. Furthermore, the study developed a referral network by forming liaisons with private practitioners, neighborhood clinics, and community health centers where participants with newly diagnosed or poorly managed medical ailments could obtain affordable follow-up care.
