Screenings to help address access, affordability and quality care for uninsured or underinsured residents following Hurricane Harvey
Project Health has delivered more than $16 million worth of free health services locally since 2006
HOUSTON, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In its ongoing commitment to support post-Hurricane recovery efforts in Houston, CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) will be hosting Project Health, its signature free health screening program across the city to improve access to affordable health care for residents. The annual campaign, which was originally scheduled to begin in September, was postponed as the community recovered from the effects of Hurricane Harvey.
This year's screenings will be held from Nov. 2 through Feb. 18 in select CVS Pharmacy locations across the greater Houston area and offer an array of free comprehensive health assessment screenings, including blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), glucose and total cholesterol screenings, which can help detect risk for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
"Even as the residents of Houston have begun to recover and rebuild their lives following Hurricane Harvey, we know the impact this type of stress can place on a person's health and wellness," said Jeff Schmidt, area vice president, CVS Pharmacy. "Our free health screenings can help identify health concerns or other risk factors for participants who may not have access to care otherwise, as well as provide referrals to local doctors and information on low-cost health insurance options."
Once screened, patients have access to on-site consultations with bilingual nurse practitioners or physician assistants who will analyze results and refer patients who require additional medical care and follow up to no-cost or low-cost medical facilities nearby or to their primary care physician. The events are open to everyone and do not require an appointment.
This year, CVS Pharmacy has partnered with the YMCA in Houston to encourage their members to participate in Project Health screenings in these markets.
"Health screenings are the first step in recognizing opportunities for improving one's health," said Lharissa Jacobs, association director of community health for the YMCA of Greater Houston. "Screenings, like those provided at Project Health, provide people with valuable information to make important decisions in reclaiming their health for the long run, and the Y is so pleased to encourage people to live their healthiest life."
Houston is one of 10 cities across the country where Project Health screenings are taking place this year. A total of 450 wellness events will deliver more than $5 million worth of free health services in multicultural communities with a large number of uninsured or underinsured Americans.
Since it was established in 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $117 million in free health care services to more than 887,000 people. For a full calendar of Project Health events in Houston, visit www.cvs.com/projecthealth (in Spanish: www.cvs.com/proyectosalud).
About CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with over 9,700 locations. It is the first national pharmacy to end the sale of tobacco and the first pharmacy in the nation to receive the Community Pharmacy accreditation from URAC, the leading health care accreditation organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. CVS Pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS Pharmacy and CVS Health is available at www.cvshealth.com.
1 Centers for Disease Control. Chronic Disease Overview. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/
Mary Gattuso
Mary.Gattuso@CVSHealth.com
401-770-9811
SOURCE CVS Health