Free Health Screening March 28

Walk-ins are welcome for anyone who would like to take part in a free health screening on March 28, at the Ripley County Public Health Center.

The free testing will include HbA1c (blood sugar), Lipid profile (cholesterol) and blood pressure checks, and the tests will be performed by the Shelden Clinical Simulation Center mobile screening unit.

It will be parked at the health center at 1003 Locust Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Testing should take about 15-20 minutes, and that investment of time might result in the early detection and/or diagnosis of type II diabetes, hypotension and heart disease. Those needing follow-up treatment will be directed to appropriate care.

Tammy Cosgrove, Director of the Ripley County Public Health Center, says in addition to the screening there will be a health fair inside the health center that day.

“Prevention of Blindness will provide free vision screenings, and our health center staff will provide their usual services. We’ll check blood pressures and weights, and we’ll also be giving flu and Covid 19 vaccinations,” says Cosgrove.

Kat Robinson, a certified Yoga therapist and owner of Active Kat Yoga, will be available to answer questions about the health benefits that can be gained through a holistic approach.

Other vendors will be present, offering valuable information about the services they provide, says Cosgrove. Those will include, but may not be limited to Missouri Highlands Health Care, Ripley County Caring Community Partnership, FCC Behavior Health and E&S Pharmacy.

Someone will be available to help with Medicaid enrollment (to qualifying individuals).

The program is being sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The project, which is part of a $35,569,951 financial assistance award, is intended to help reduce the impact of Covid-19 illness in patients who may be at higher risk due to multiple undiagnosed medical conditions.