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

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 September 2006, 15:01 CDT

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/

Source: PRNewswire

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