New online tool helps connect Missourians to health care resources

Accessible health care and options for residents across all regions has gained increased attention during COVID-19.

For Missourians, a new tool is now available that allows them to see what options they have within the state.

A new online tool created and recently released by the UM System provides Missouri residents detailed information about health care resources and allows them to connect with what is available.

Called the UM System Health Care Finder, the tool is an interactive, searchable database that maps more than 200 health resources across the state.

“This exciting new effort will help us leverage local partnerships to expand delivery of high-end care in underserved areas,” Marshall Stewart, UM System chief engagement officer and MU vice chancellor for extension and engagement, said. “It also supports the UM System’s ambitious health care and engagement projects, such as the NextGen Precision Health Initiative and the Show Me Health and Well Being Initiative.”

Missouri is currently ranked 33 out of 50 in health care access and affordability and the new tool holds the potential to vastly improve health care in Missouri by allowing users to search with key words, zip codes and geographic areas to find the health care resources they need.

“Not only does this tool give people valuable information about resources near them that they might not have known about, but it also gives us the information we need to potentially scale our services where needed,” Kathleen Quinn, senior program director for health and safety with MU Extension and MU School of Medicine associate dean for rural health, said. “When working with local communities and the other system universities to expand health care access, this tool shows us exactly where the gaps are and what assets we already have that can be harnessed for a greater good.”