Overcoming barriers to care in rural Yakima

With miles of farms and fields coloring the hillsides as far as the eye can see, it’s clear that the agricultural industry remains a way of life in the Yakima Valley. With that lifestyle, though, comes the challenges of living in a rural environment, long work days and limited access to health care.

For more than a decade, Fiesta de Salud has provided free health screenings and resources to more than 4,500 residents annually. Hosted by MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, the one-day health fair brings together over 50 community partners.

Seeing the turnout and need for resources grow each year, the MultiCare Community Health Partnerships & Education team wondered: How many more people needed the same resources, but could not attend because of transportation or schedule limitations?

In partnership with the Memorial Foundation, the team began a new venture in 2024 to ensure community members receive medical care, regardless of insurance status.

They started with one of the region’s biggest industries — hop farms.

“The hop farm industry plays a crucial role in our community’s economy. By tackling the specific health issues these workers face, we can make a real difference in their lives and set an example for other sectors,” says Omar Gambito, director, Community Health Partnerships & Education. “Our aim is to ensure everyone, no matter their job, has access to the health care they need.”

Loftus Ranches, one of the region’s oldest and largest hop farms, provides health insurance to employees. But finding a primary care provider in the area — specifically one who can meet needs like language access — remains a challenge.

During two mobile health fairs (spring and summer), Loftus Ranches employees received vital health screenings from bilingual MultiCare staff and volunteers. After reviewing results, participants could request follow-up appointments and were connected to other local providers, nutrition resources and Yakima Memorial’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

Screenings were possible with the use of 10 LDX machines, which provide accurate and fast readings (20 minutes or less) for cholesterol, blood glucose and related lipid levels. Yakima Memorial received the LDX machines in 2023 through a Department of Health grant administered through Yakima Valley Community Foundation and Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington.

“Cholesterol and blood glucose screenings are essential for understanding someone’s overall health and can uncover hidden conditions,” Gambito says. “Catching these issues early allows us to provide timely help and connect people with the sources they need to manage their health.”

The need for access, education and preventive care was highlighted in what MultiCare staff discovered during screenings:

• Of 167 employees who received screenings, 129 did not have a primary care provider
• 89 percent had no knowledge of previous diabetes, abnormal blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol diagnoses, but:
  • 47 percent showed mild to high glucose results
  • 78 percent were diagnosed with prehypertension or stage 1/stage 2 hypertension
  • 35 percent fell within mild-to-moderate or high risk for cholesterol levels

“Looking ahead, we hope to expand our reach and continue breaking down barriers to health care. We want to create a sustainable model that can be used in different industries and communities,” Gambito says. “By building partnerships and using technology, we envision a future where everyone has the chance to live a healthy and fulfilling life.”

With community support and funding from the Memorial Foundation, the team hopes to add  men’s, women’s and mental health screenings in the future, he adds. They’ll also survey community workers to find out what additional services are desired.