Bringing Health Care Advocacy to a Public Defender's Office

Recent arrestees often face barriers to health care access as they move through the judicial process, placing them at significant health risk. The immediate postrelease period generally involves numerous court dates, meetings, and other obligations that can fragment the delivery of care. A residency training program collaborated with public defenders to facilitate medical screenings and referrals for recent arrestees in Bronx County, New York. From May 2005 to June 2007, a medical resident met with 104 arrestees at the public defenders' office to take medical histories, make medical referrals, and make appointments at a primary care clinic. Arrestees' kept-appointment rate at the clinic (66%) exceeded the clinic's overall 2006-2007 kept-appointment rate for first appointments (50%). Collaboration between public defenders and physicians can facilitate arrestees' access to health care.