Free Medical Clinic San Francisco | St. Anthony Foundation

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free medical clinic san francisco San Francisco is home to an estimated 60,000 residents without medical insurance. Each year uninsured patients spend an average of $1,680 on medical care; this fiscal burden causes people to delay preventative care and eventually results in costly major procedures and chronic conditions. The Tenderloin has the highest rates of chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes and congestive heart failure of any neighborhood in San Francisco. This dangerous combination of chronic disease and lack of insurance leads to the highest rates of hospitalization in the city.

St. Anthony Foundation’s Free Medical Clinic provides free primary and specialty care to 3,400 uninsured patients through more than 12,000 visits a year. Approximately 90% of Clinic patients earn less than $10,000 a year and 25% are homeless.

With Tenderloin hospitalization rates for diabetes and complications associated with the disease five times the city average, the Clinic has responded by becoming a leader in chronic disease care including Diabetes care management and COPD/Asthma care. Through individualized care plans, support groups and education, patients learn to effectively manage their chronic conditions.

The Clinic also provides the only free pediatrics care in the Tenderloin, serving 800 children every year. Nearly one in four of our young patients are overweight, and many struggle with high blood pressure. Infant immunizations, developmental evaluations and diet and nutrition counseling put families on track with the preventative and routine check-ups needed to ensure healthy futures for their children.

Beyond primary care for adults and children, the Clinic also provides an array of specialty and mental health services including nutrition education, individual and group therapy, psychiatry, podiatry, rapid HIV testing and acupuncture. Through this range of services all patients receive the care that treats their immediate health problems and the education and support to build healthy lifestyles for themselves and their families.