ISHAAN BRAR
UNITED STATES, 17
Project: Healthy Community
Basic Human Needs: Health
When Ishaan was 15, he spent his summer volunteering at medical clinics in Bakersfield, California. He learned there were multiple reasons that prevented patients from accessing medical care, such as immigration status, lack of insurance, transportation issues or mere unawareness. Ishaan also learned that basic medical tests could be done affordably and remotely, using simple equipment. He decided that if patients were prevented from visiting a clinic, he would bring medical services to them. Ishaan founded Healthy Community – providing access to medical care, regardless of age, race, immigration status and socio-economic status. They organize free, mobile pop-up clinics in shelters and recovery centers, providing medical screenings, consultation and health education. In just one year, Healthy Community has served 550+ people in the San Joaquin Valley Region, and expects to reach 1,000 people by mid 2020. By integrating health education into Healthy Community’s services, Ishaan hopes to improve patients’ long-term health and lifestyle. A majority of their patients face stigmatization, so Ishaan also aims to ensure patients feel valued and respected as human beings. For patients who struggle with addiction, Healthy Community advises on substance abuse, and they are seeking to offer a scope of mental health services in the near future. Ishaan plans to expand the Healthy Community model nationwide, starting on university campuses. He strives to greatly reduce the disparity in access to quality healthcare and health education in the United States.