Project Health brings screenings, education to CVS Health in suburban Philadelphia
LANSDOWNE, Pa. — CVS Health earlier this month announced the 11th year of its Project Health initiative, which provides a series of free screenings to patients in those communities where complementary health services and the corresponding education consultations can have a significant impact on people.
This year, CVS Health expects to provide hundreds of thousands of free biometric screenings, including blood pressure, blood glucose and total cholesterol, across 10 multicultural markets.
Judging from the enthusiasm many patients had in engaging CVS Health's Project Health team in this Philadelphia suburb on Thursday, the service delivers a significant value to the local community. “Despite the increased number of Americans who have become insured over the past five years through the Affordable Care Act, there are still barriers to quality care, such as cost and access, for many patients,” David Casey, VP workforce strategies and chief diversity officer, shared with Drug Store News. “As the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, CVS Health is committed to improving access to quality care by identifying health concerns and risk factors for patients who may not have otherwise sought preventive care.”
The community service goes beyond the patients in the store. Once screened, patients receive on-site consultations with nurse practitioners or physician assistants who 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. And CVS pharmacists are also available to conduct one-on-one medication reviews, answer any questions patients may have and provide smoking cessation counseling.
“This year, we expect to deliver nearly $8 million worth of free health services through our Project Health events,” Casey said. “We strongly encourage participants to visit a physician, now that they know their screening results. In 2015, 81% of Project Health participants reported that they either made a visit or plan to make a visit to their doctor, after attending a Project Health event.”
Since 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $112 million worth of free healthcare services to nearly 872,000 people. In that time, CVS Health has identified several areas of concern among participants. For example, CVS Health discovered:
• 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.
“Many patients also come back to Project Health year after year — and for some, like Cornelius Raven, the annual wellness event has made a lasting impact on their life,” Casey added.
This year, CVS Health expects to provide hundreds of thousands of free biometric screenings, including blood pressure, blood glucose and total cholesterol, across 10 multicultural markets.
Judging from the enthusiasm many patients had in engaging CVS Health's Project Health team in this Philadelphia suburb on Thursday, the service delivers a significant value to the local community. “Despite the increased number of Americans who have become insured over the past five years through the Affordable Care Act, there are still barriers to quality care, such as cost and access, for many patients,” David Casey, VP workforce strategies and chief diversity officer, shared with Drug Store News. “As the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, CVS Health is committed to improving access to quality care by identifying health concerns and risk factors for patients who may not have otherwise sought preventive care.”
The community service goes beyond the patients in the store. Once screened, patients receive on-site consultations with nurse practitioners or physician assistants who 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. And CVS pharmacists are also available to conduct one-on-one medication reviews, answer any questions patients may have and provide smoking cessation counseling.
“This year, we expect to deliver nearly $8 million worth of free health services through our Project Health events,” Casey said. “We strongly encourage participants to visit a physician, now that they know their screening results. In 2015, 81% of Project Health participants reported that they either made a visit or plan to make a visit to their doctor, after attending a Project Health event.”
Since 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $112 million worth of free healthcare services to nearly 872,000 people. In that time, CVS Health has identified several areas of concern among participants. For example, CVS Health discovered:
• 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.
“Many patients also come back to Project Health year after year — and for some, like Cornelius Raven, the annual wellness event has made a lasting impact on their life,” Casey added.