CVS Health's Project Health to deliver $8 million in free health services in 2016
WOONSOCKET, R.I. - CVS Health on Wednesday announced the rollout of Project Health, its annual free health services campaign, at select CVS Pharmacy locations in 10 multicultural communities across the country. Beginning Thursday, Sept. 8 and running through Dec. 18, nearly $8 million worth of free health services will be delivered at more than 500 Project Health events.
Since 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $112 million worth of free health care services to nearly 872,000 people, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured.
"Despite the increased number of Americans who have become insured over the past five years, there are still barriers to quality care, such as cost and access, for many patients," stated Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer CVS Health. "Project Health is part of CVS Health's commitment to improving access to quality care by identifying health concerns and risk factors for participants who may not have otherwise sought preventative care."
Project Health offers an array of free comprehensive health risk assessments, including blood pressure, Body Mass Index, glucose and total cholesterol screenings. Once screened, CVS Pharmacy helps patients through on-site consultations with bilingual (English/Spanish) nurse practitioners or physician assistants who will analyze results and refer patients who require additional medical attention to no-cost or low-cost medical facilities nearby or to their primary care physician. CVS pharmacists are also available to conduct one-on-one medication reviews and answer any questions patients may have.
"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services applauds CVS Health on their Project Health initiative," said Kevin Counihan, director and Marketplace CEO at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "We thank them for their continued commitment to providing free health screenings and educational materials ensuring better health for many Americans."
Over the past 10 years, high rates of certain treatable conditions among Project Health participants have been identified, including:
53% were found to be overweight or obese;
38% had abnormal blood pressure readings;
26% had abnormal glucose readings; and
37% were found to have abnormal cholesterol levels.
Project Health events, held in markets with large multicultural populations, are open to all consumers regardless of race, gender or insurance status and do not require an appointment. Current locations include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Project Health events are also being held at select CVS Pharmacy stores in Puerto Rico through November on Saturdays and Sundays.
Click here to view CVS' video on how a health screening event works.