CVS Pharmacy kicks off annual Project Health screening campaign
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is bringing its annual free health screening campaign, Project Health, to 11 markets this year, delivering more than $5 million worth of health services to patients. From Sept. 7 through Dec. 17, CVS Pharmacy locations will host Project Health walk-in events at stores in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Forth Worth, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as well as select stores in Puerto Rico.
"Project Health is part of CVS Health's commitment to improve access to health care and ensure that cost isn't a barrier to important preventive services," CVS Health chief medical officer Dr. Troyen Brennan said. "Our free health screenings can help identify health concerns or risk factors for participants who may not have access to care otherwise."
CVS Pharmacy has postponed a Project Health events in the Houston area, and said it plans to reschedule them for dates when it is safe and when the community will have better access to the services. The company on Tuesday directed additional resources to the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
Project Health offers screenings for such areas as blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose and total cholesterol to help detect risk for such chronic conditions diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
"These chronic conditions, which can often be life-threatening, can be treated very effectively when identified early, helping to improve a patient's health and well-being, as well as reducing costs for both the patient and the overall health care delivery system,” Brennan said.
Screened patients will have access to on-site consultations with bilingual nurse practitioners or physician assistants, who will analyze results and provide patients who require additional care with referrals to nearby no-cost or low-cost facilities, or their primary care physician.
Since Project Health was begun in 2006, CVS Health said it has provided $117 million in free healthcare services to more than 887,000 patients. Last year, the screenings identified that 49% of Project Health participants were overweight or obese, 39% had abnormal blood pressure readings, 31% had abnormal glucose readings and 38% had abnormal cholesterol levels.
This year, the company is partnering with the YMCA in Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles to encourage their members to participate in Project Health screenings.
"As a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving the nation's health, the Y shares CVS Health's goal to deliver preventive care, like screenings, in places where access is a barrier," YMCA of the USA president and CEO Kevin Washington said. "Taking health care out of clinical settings and putting it into our neighborhoods can save lives, reduce costs and make our communities stronger."
The events will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at select locations. The company’s site has a full calendar of events.