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WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is bringing free health screenings to more cities in a major expansion of its Project Health wellness program.
Over the next several months CVS will provide about $14 million worth of free health services to multicultural communities via more than 1,000 Project Health events at CVS/pharmacy stores in 27 markets. That’s 17 more cities than the initial program and 12 more than the previous Project Health effort earlier this year, in which CVS held more than 350 events.
Project Health events are being held in communities with sizable populations of uninsured or underinsured people, CVS noted.
The free health risk assessments include blood pressure, body mass index, glucose and total cholesterol. Once they are screened, CVS will help patients through on-site consultations with bilingual (Spanish/English) nurse practitioners or physician assistants who will analyze results and refer patients to no-cost or low-cost medical facilities nearby or to their primary care doctor if follow-up care is necessary. CVS pharmacists will be available to conduct medication reviews and answer patients’ questions.
“The free, comprehensive health screenings offered at our Project Health events can help identify health concerns or risk factors for participants,” stated CVS/pharmacy president Helena Foulkes. “By addressing health care challenges, such as ethnic disparities and lack of access to preventive care, we can make a difference in the health and well-being of our customers.”
The initiative also will feature CVS’ smoking cessation program, which includes an assessment of the smoker’s readiness to quit, information and tools needed to quit, medication support to help curb the desire to smoke, and ongoing coaching to help participants stay motivated and prevent relapses.
“Smoking is the leading cause of premature disease and death in the United States, with more than 480,000 deaths annually,” added Foulkes, who is also executive vice president at CVS Health. “By offering a comprehensive and uniquely personalized smoking cessation program at our Project Health events, we are making it easier for our customers to take the first step to a healthier life.”
Project Health events, too, will provide information about the health insurance marketplace and coverage options under the Affordable Care Act. Health insurance experts will be available to offer guidance during the open enrollment period, which runs from November 15 to February 15.
Since 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $72 million of free health care services to about 730,000 customers, according to CVS.
In providing those preventive health care services, CVS said, 50% of participants were determined to be overweight or obese, while 41% had abnormal blood pressure readings, 29% had abnormal glucose readings, and 40% had abnormal cholesterol levels.
