Low-cost paramedic program found to reduce ambulance calls for seniors in social housing

A low-cost enterprise by paramedics was found to significantly reduce emergency ambulance calls and improve the health of seniors living in Hamilton's social housing apartment buildings. This McMaster University study analyzed the effectiveness of weekly drop-in health assessment clinics operated by members of the Hamilton Paramedic Service. The one year study found the number of emergency ambulance calls was reduced by about one call per month for every 100 apartment units in the buildings that received the program compared to those that didn't get the program. The program also discovered a large number of people with undiagnosed high blood pressure.