Ho Chunk Roll Out Mobile Healthcare Unit

Health workers with the Ho Chunk tribe in Wisconsin will be hitting the road soon to help children who might not have access to medical care.Ho Chunk Nation tribal land is spread across several counties.Going mobile allows the tribe to provide medical care to as many people as possible. Especially in rural communities where kids are not always getting the healthcare they need.

Dr. Alec Thundercloud is the Ho-Chunk Nation’s executive director of health.He says the clinic will also help children who are not members of the tribe. “You look at some of our rural areas, where we’re going to go in Nekoosa, Wittenberg, it’s very difficult for people in general and community members, not even tribal members, but community members to access health care especially when transportation is a barrier,” he says.

The Ho Chunk nation’s obesity rate is five times the national average.One out of every four members have diabetes.Tribal President John Greendeer says the pediatric mobile clinic will help encourage nutrition and early preventative care.

“What we can do at a younger age is start developing the educational nutritional avenues for our youth and allow them the proper dental care,” he says.”The link between dental care and nutrition is very key here.”

The clinic will offer a variety of services, including laboratory testing, immunizations, and health education.