Affordable health screenings all April long
The health department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics will be offering Public Health Week specials throughout the month of April
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their healthcare clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon will showcase their ongoing efforts “to protect and improve the health of the community.”
In keeping with National Public Health Week’s mission of promoting healthier living and achieving the goal of “healthiest nation by 2030,” the First Choice Healthcare Clinics will offer clinic specials during the month of April featuring a combination general health/thyroid panel blood test for only $50. This test includes a full lipid “cholesterol” panel. Please note, fasting is recommended for these tests for optimum results.
The First Choice Healthcare Clinics will be offering this special at all their locations. The clinics are open to all area residents, and appointments are necessary and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. These lab specials are available on a “cash only” basis.
To schedule an appointment or for more information on the First Choice Healthcare Clinics’ Public Health Week April Lab special call Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011 or Toulon 309-852-3115
Every Kid Healthy Week is April 21-25
April 21-25 is “Every Kid Healthy Week.” The designated week is an annual celebration of child and family health and wellness achievements and goals. It takes place the last full week of April, and it shines a spotlight on the actions organizations and schools are taking to improve the health and wellness of their kids.
RaeAnn Tucker, director of Health Promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments said, “This week also gives our staff at the health departments and our First Choice Healthcare clinics a chance to highlight how we are continually working with local school districts and other social service agencies to highlight the services available local to kids and families that aim to improve their nutritional, physical and mental health.”
In addition to the vast array of public, community and school health education services offered by the health departments; they also offer needed and vital clinical and behavioral health services through their First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon.
Their clinics offer a full range of clinic services which includes: prompt walk-in and sick appointments; family planning and reproductive healthcare; WIC food supplemental program, school/sport exams; chronic disease management; STD testing and treatment; work and DOT physicals; TB testing, lead screenings and immunizations. In addition, First Choice Healthcare offers behavioral and mental health services to local schools, students, families and residents. Which means for the first time, Henry and Stark counties residents are able to access integrated primary medical and behavioral health services in one healthcare home.
For more information or to schedule an appointment at their First Choice Healthcare Clinics call the location nearest you Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011 or Toulon 309-852-3115.
Vaccines save lives: Local health departments recognize National Infant Immunization Week
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments note that April 21-28 has been designated National Infant Immunization Week – NIIW.
The week-long observance highlights the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases – VPDs. This year, more than ever, they recognize the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our children and communities and the nation’s public health from serious childhood diseases. The CDC recommends families check with their healthcare providers to make sure children are up to date on routinely recommended vaccines.
Each year NIIW lets local and state health departments join with national immunization partners, health care professionals, community leaders from across the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC to work together to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children, and to call attention to immunization achievements.
Recently several important milestones have been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants and adults worldwide. Vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases in the United States. In addition:
● Through immunization infants and children can now be protected from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
● Vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years.
● In the 1950’s, nearly every child developed measles, and unfortunately, some even died from this serious disease.
● The measles vaccine has been particularly impactful, saving nearly 94 million lives since 1974.
Health department officials said, “It’s easy to think of these diseases as a thing of the past. But the truth is they still exist. Children in the United States can, and do, still get some of these diseases.”
Immunizations can be obtained through the health department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon by appointment.
For more information on their Immunization program call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; or Toulon 309-852-3115 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.