New Mobile Health Van Will Serve MetroWest Communities

NATICK, MA — A new mobile health van will soon begin serving MetroWest communities, and will be tied to a smartphone app offering some on-demand services.

The Rise On van will offer a range of services, including COVID-19 vaccinations, harm-reduction materials like syringes and anti-overdose medication and safe-sex products like condoms and HIV testing.

The van will be tied to the Rise On mobile app, which local residents can use to connect with the van, request services or find communities resources like treatment clinics or health providers.

Rise On is a joint effort by JRI Health, the MetroWest Opioid TaskForce and the Natick Health Department's Natick 180 coalition. The Rise On van is similar to a mobile health service that rolled out in Boston in 2018, expanded to Brockton in April and will soon expand in Worcester and the Springfield area.

Natick 180 is sponsoring a community meeting scheduled for Thursday evening to discuss the Rise On van and its services.