Increasing access to health care and reducing health disparities was one of the top priorities identified in the Long Branch and Takoma Park Community Strategic Plan in 2012.  At that time, information from Healthy Montgomery documented many health disparities by race and ethnicity; it was observed that many community members had to wait in long lines or struggled to find adequate services. Recent Healthy Montgomery data shows that the Takoma Park zip code 20912 has among the highest hospital utilization rates for uncontrolled diabetes and alcohol abuse, and very high rates of pediatric asthma in a Long Branch zip code (20903).  Research conducted by CHEER showed that 50% of the people seeking medical care through the County’s safety net clinics were unable to get an appointment. 

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It is impossible for Takoma Park and Long Branch to be healthy thriving communities when large numbers of community members have difficulty accessing health care and are suffering from hard to manage chronic disease.  CHEER maintains relationships with the Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery, Kaiser Permanente, Adventist Health, and Holy Cross to improve population health, reduce health care costs, ensure access to quality healthcare.

In 2021, CHEER enrolled 341 households (831 individuals) in Medicaid or Qualified Health Plans. In addition, 150 community members were enrolled in free private health insurance through Kaiser Permanente's Community Health Access Plan (CHAP). CHEER also served 112 community members as part of the Long Branch Healthy Food Access Program. A total of 1,148 bags of healthy food were given to participants.