September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Although the mortality rate has steadily fallen in the last decade, prostate cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States.
The Henry & Stark County Health Department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon are offering a $10 Prostate Specific Antigen – PSA test special.
The PSA test 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. No fasting is necessary for this screening. This screening can be a “stand alone” test or be added to any of our other popular lab tests.
The First Choice Healthcare Clinics will be offering this special at all clinic locations in Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd. 309-852-5272; Colona, 103 First St. 309-792-4011; and Toulon, 120 E. Court St., 309-852-3115. This special is open to all area residents, and appointments are necessary and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Please note, this PSA special is available on a cash only basis.
To schedule an appointment or for more information on the First Choice Healthcare Clinic location nearest you go to www.henrystarkhealth.com. Also, find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments & First Choice Healthcare.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department recently announced that DOT physicals are now available to area drivers at all their clinics in Kewanee and Toulon.
The Department of Transportation requires some drivers to get regular physical exams to make sure they can drive safely. If any of the following apply to you, you must get a DOT physical and carry a DOT medical certificate when you drive a commercial vehicle:
● You are paid to operate a motor vehicle that holds nine to 15 passengers; you drive the vehicle more than 75 miles from where you report to work; you operate this vehicle for interstate commerce purposes.
● You operate a motor vehicle with a gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight of at least 10,001 pounds; you operate this vehicle for interstate commerce purposes.
● You transport hazardous materials in certain quantities.
To comply with federal law, a qualified medical examiner must complete your DOT physical form. The health departments nurse practitioners in Kewanee, and Toulon are Certified DOT medical examiners.
DOT Physical participants should expect the examiner to review their health history and ask the participant to list the medications taken on a regular basis.
In addition, those who are seeing a provider and are on medication for sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac, anxiety, ADHD/ADD, depression and other mental health issues, and seizures. Participants need to obtain a “clearance letter” from the provider of care and bring it to their appointment.
Please note appointments for DOT Physicals, which are necessary, may be made by contacting the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you Kewanee 309-852-5272; and Toulon 309-852-3115. For more information visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program asks, “Do You Need Health Insurance?” Their health insurance navigators will be present at some upcoming local events to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:
Colona Township Hall, 801 1st St., Colona, Ill.
Friday, Sept. 5
12:30-3:30 p.m.
Kewanee Food Pantry, 924 Rose St., Kewanee, Ill.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Get Covered Illinois” navigators can help you:
● Find affordable health coverage that meets your needs
● Fill out and submit your application
● Compare quality health plans side-by-side
● Find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium
● Find out if you qualify for Medicaid or an affordability program
● Understand your benefits
● Understand health insurance terms
Remember you may be eligible to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the usual open enrollment, or make changes to your existing coverage, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The SEP may require you to enroll within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event. A qualifying life event is a life change, such as:
Loss of Health Coverage, due to:
● Losing job-based coverage
● Losing Medicaid coverage
● Losing Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors or Health Benefits For Immigrants Adult coverage
● A divorce or legal separation
● Turning 26 years old, no longer eligible for parents’ coverage
Other Qualifying Life Events include:
● Getting Married
● Having a baby or adopting a child
● Moving to a new ZIP code or county
● Becoming a US Citizen
● Leaving incarceration.
For more information on this Get Covered Illinois Navigator Event or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace please call 309-852-5272.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department’s First Choice Healthcare remind residents they offer monthly CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification classes.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. That’s why they encourage people to take a CPR Certification Class. As the American Heart Association says, “Learn to save a life, learn CPR. The life you save could be that of a loved one.”
CPR training will teach participants to recognize and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies in infants, children, and adults. Instruction will also be given on how to recognize emergencies and actions to take, and understanding the role of AEDs – Automated External Defibrillators in the Cardiac Chain of Survival.
CPR classes are held the fourth Tuesday monthly. The class will be held at the Health Department offices, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee, IL. The classes will run from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost of the Class is $45. Payment and registration is due prior to the class date. These rates are per participant.
There are a set participant minimum and maximum for classes; so, anyone interested should contact the health department at 852-0197, Ext. 231.
