Are you expecting a baby or have a new baby under 6 months? If so, the Henry & Stark County Health Department’s Better Birth Outcomes-Comprehensive Program is here to support you through your journey.
Better Birth Outcomes is a free program that pairs families with an experienced nurse navigator, RN who will work with you one-on-one during your pregnancy and the first 6 months after your baby is born. They will focus on your health, your baby’s health and development, and be a support person for you and your family.
How does the “Better Birth Outcomes” program help? Your health department nurse will provide personalized care and connect you with services that can help you:
● Connect you and your family with a healthcare provider.
● Connect with a Nutritionist and Breastfeeding Support staff through the Department’s WIC program.
● Identify and help prevent health concerns that could affect your pregnancy and help prevent complications before, during and after birth.
● Identify and address substance abuse concerns.
● Identify and connect mental health services for yourself or family.
● Help navigate your health care plan and benefits.
● Educate participants on pregnancy issues and newborn care and safety.
● Support your baby’s healthy growth and developmental milestones.
For more information or to sign up for the Better Birth Outcomes program simply call the Henry and Stark County Health Departments in Kewanee at 309-852-0197 or Colona at 309- 792-4011; or Marshall County residents at 309-246-8074; or Putnam County residents at 815-872-2324.
The Henry & Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Toulon would like to remind everyone that with June’s designation as Pride Month of their PrEP/HIV Prevention program & services.
This new PrEP/HIV Prevention grant includes and provides to local residents:
● Completely confidential and inclusive safe sex education, including how to reduce risk of HIV transmission
● HIV testing for general screening or post-exposure to HIV
● Assessment of individual risk and potential need for PrEP or PEP treatment
● Counseling about PrEP and PEP treatment and necessary monitoring
● Prescribing prophylactic PrEP medication (Oral or Injectable) OR
● Prescribing PEP medication, to reduce risk of HIV after a possible exposure
The health department staff notes that another aspect to this important health grant and initiative is that funds are available to help participants to receive services and needed medications.
First Choice Healthcare Clinic staff can help participants navigate financial assistance, for different types of insurance or lack of insurance:
● Medicaid insurance – covers treatment 100%
● No insurance or private insurance? Financial assistance is available easily through the state.
For more information, call the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you Kewanee 309-852-5272 or Toulon 309-852-3115 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare are announcing that June 13 has been proclaimed Family Health and Fitness Day and June 8-12 has been proclaimed National Community Health Improvement. The purpose of these designations is to honor healthcare professionals who work closely with communities and dedicate their lives to improving the health of the residents and families they serve.
When families strive to be healthy together, the success rate increases. Incorporating exercise, healthy diet and access to health services into a family’s lifestyle and routine takes a team effort. The health department would like to remind local residents and families that in addition to the vast array of public health services; they also offer needed and vital clinical services through their First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee and Toulon.
First Choice Healthcare offers a full range of clinic services which includes: sick appointments; family planning; school/sport exams; chronic disease management; STD testing and treatment; DOT/work physicals; TB testing, lead screenings and immunizations. In addition, their Kewanee and Toulon locations offer “walk-in” clinic services, and now mental health services, and community health programs. What this means is, Henry and Stark County residents are able to access integrated primary medical and mental health services in one healthcare home.
For more information or to schedule an appointment at their First Choice Healthcare Clinics call Kewanee 309-852-5272 and Toulon 309-852-3115.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics announce that June has been designated National Men’s Health Month and June 15-21 has been designated Men’s Week. It’s not just good luck and good genes that lead to a healthy life. Research shows that our actions have a big say in the matter, too. Many major health problems that affect men and boys are preventable through lifestyle changes, early detection, and treatment.
This designation is another opportunity to emphasize the importance of preventative health screening and testing. Therefore, First Choice Healthcare Clinics will be offering some of their most popular lab services at special prices during the month of June to area men. The specials include: a combination general health/thyroid, TSH test for only $50; a PSA, prostate specific antigen blood screening for $10; and a fecal occult blood test, colon cancer screening $10. These men’s health specials are available on a “cash only” basis.
The general health panel includes a full lipid “Cholesterol” panel. The PSA blood screening is open to all men ages 50-64; or any men younger who have a first-degree family member (father/brother/son) who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Males under 50 years of age will need a physician’s order for the screening. Please note, fasting is recommended for the blood draw tests for optimum results. Appointments for these Men’s Health Month screenings may be made by calling the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you – Kewanee 309-852-5272; or Toulon 309-852-3115.
The First Choice Healthcare staff notes that in addition to health screenings, men should include the following to maintain good health and long lives.
● Talk about your mental health.
● Get enough sleep.
● Eat healthy.
● Stay at a healthy weight.
● Get moving – take part in regular exercise.
● Be smoke-free. If you smoke, quit today!
● Avoid heavy drinking.
● Manage stress.
The health department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics offer clinical health, mental health, and many men’s health services.
For more information visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
