PA Health Secretary Urges Public to ‘Take a Loved One For a Check Up’

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ — As part of Pennsylvania Governor Rendell’s efforts to improve access to quality health care for all Pennsylvanians, state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today announced that the Department of Health will sponsor health assessments in medically underserved areas on Sept. 19.

The assessments, performed by the agency’s new Office of Health Equity, will be offered as part of the national “Take a Loved One For a Check Up Day,” and will be provided from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 23 state health centers in communities across the commonwealth.

“‘Take a Loved One For a Check Up Day’ is a reminder that it is never too early, or too late, to get into the habit of routinely visiting a doctor to discuss health concerns,” Dr. Johnson said. “Taking action to preserve and improve your health – including getting regular check ups – has a tremendously positive impact on your quality of life.”

Secretary Johnson said participating State Health Centers will offer in- person health assessments, blood pressure screenings, body mass index calculations and other health education information.

Joining Dr. Johnson for the announcement was Hamilton Health Center CEO Jeannine Peterson; Lori Ann Jenkins, health equity coordinator for the Department of Health; and Henry Fiumelli, executive director of the Pennsylvania Forum for Primary Health Care – whose organization is partnering with the Department of Health to provide follow-up care to eligible individuals who receive a health assessment.

“The PA Forum for Primary Health Care is proud to partner with the Pennsylvania Department of Health for activities surrounding ‘Take a Loved One For a Check Up Day,’” Fiumelli said. “This event allows us to emphasize the importance of having a primary care provider or medical home for you and your loved ones, and reflects the commitment of Pennsylvania’s Community Health Centers to make those primary health care services available.”

The PA Forum for Primary Health Care is the state association that represents the Federally Qualified Health Centers and other primary health providers who are located in medically underserved areas throughout the commonwealth. The PA Forum is also the governing body for the State Association of Pennsylvania’s Community Health Centers. These community- owned-and-operated rural and urban centers provide quality health care that is both affordable and accessible by appointment to eligible individuals.

“Take a Loved One for a Check Up Day” is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ “Closing the Health Gap” campaign. More information on Pennsylvania’s efforts to eliminate health disparities is available on the PA Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity Web site, http://www.health.state.pa.us/.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is a list of the state health centers (SHC) where in-person health assessments will be provided on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

    Armstrong County SHC    239-245 Butler Road    Kittanning, PA  16201-1336    Tel: (724) 543-2700     Beaver County SHC    300 South Walnut Lane    Beaver, PA  15009    Tel: (724) 774-1385     Bedford County SHC    130 Vondersmith Avenue, Suite A    Bedford, PA  15522-1727    Tel: (814) 623-0998     Clarion County SHC    Applewood Center, Suite D    162 South 2nd Street    Clarion, PA  16214    Tel: (814) 226-2170     Clearfield County SHC    1123 Linden Street    Clearfield, PA  16830    Tel: (814) 765-0542     Dauphin County SHC    30 Kline Plaza    Harrisburg, PA  17104    Tel:  (717) 787-8092     Elk County SHC    778 Washington Road    St. Marys, PA  15857    Tel: (814) 834-5351     Fayette County SHC    100 New Salem Road    Uniontown, PA  15401-8936    Tel: (724) 439-7400     Franklin County SHC    518 Cleveland Avenue    Chambersburg, PA  17201-3494    Tel: (717) 263-4143     Fulton County SHC    Penn’s Village Shopping Center    182 Buchanan Trail, Suite 160    McConnellsburg, PA  17233-0248    Tel: (717) 485-5137     Greene County SHC    432 East Oakville Drive    Waynesburg, PA  15370-2035    Tel: (724) 627-3168     Huntingdon County SHC    909 Moore Street    Huntingdon, PA  16652-1836    Tel: (814) 643-3700     Indiana County SHC    75 North 2nd Street    Indiana, PA  15701-2047    Tel: (724) 357-2995     Lackawanna County SHC    State Office Building    100 Lackawanna Avenue    Scranton, PA  18503-1973    Tel: (570) 963-4567     Luzerne County SHC    665 Carey Avenue, Suite 2    Wilkes-Barre, PA  18706-1466    Tel: (570) 826-2071     McKean County SHC    84-90 Boylston Street    Gleason Building    Bradford, PA  16701-2011    Tel: (814) 368-0426     Potter County SHC    269 Rt. 6 West, Room 2    Coudersport, PA  16915    Tel: (814) 274-3626     Schuylkill County SHC    103 One Norwegian Plaza    Pottsville, PA  17901    Tel: (570) 621-3112     Susquehanna County SHC    35 Spruce Street, Suite 2    Montrose, PA  18801-1225    Tel: (570) 278-3889     Tioga County SHC    144C East Avenue    Wellsboro, PA  16901    Tel: (570) 724-2911     Washington County SHC    167 North Main Street, Suite 100    Washington, PA  15301-4354    Tel: (724) 223-4540     Wyoming County SHC    Two Skyline Complex    Tunkhannock, PA  18657-9803    Tel: (570) 836-2981     York County SHC    1750 North George Street    York, PA  17404-1807    Tel: (717) 771-4505   

CONTACT: Troy Thompson, Pennsylvania Department of Health, +1-717-787-1783.

Pennsylvania Department of Health

CONTACT: Troy Thompson, Pennsylvania Department of Health,+1-717-787-1783

Web site: http://www.health.state.pa.us/