Health House Build

The Office of Telemedicine, along with the UVA Health System, collaborated with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville to create Habitat’s first ever health house project.  Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville works to create simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income families, volunteers and the communities of greater Charlottesville.  The Health House project consists of two structurally-adapted and specially-equipped residences from which occupants can routinely relay vital signs and other medical readings to remote caregivers. When readings are abnormal, caregivers can step in before the patient becomes seriously ill.

This project is an excellent example of how chronic disease management can be shifted away from hospitals, reducing health care costs and keeping patients safe in their homes. The Office of Telemedicine not only provided Habitat with technical supervision, but Telemedicine employees also donned hard-hats, swung hammers and volunteered on Habitat construction teams!