CVS Pharmacy offers free Houston health screenings

HOUSTON — CVS Health is bringing its annual Project Health screenings in an effort to continue to support the Houston area as it recovers from Hurricane Harvey. The screenings, to be held Nov. 2 through Feb. 18 in select locations in the greater Houston area, were originally slated to take place in September, but was postponed in the aftermath of the hurricane.

"Even as the residents of Houston have begun to recover and rebuild their lives following Hurricane Harvey, we know the impact this type of stress can place on a person's health and wellness," CVS Pharmacy area vice president Jeff Schmidt said. "Our free health screenings can help identify health concerns or other risk factors for participants who may not have access to care otherwise, as well as provide referrals to local doctors and information on low-cost health insurance options."

The walk-in screenings will include such comprehensive health assessments as blood pressure, body mass index, glucose and total cholesterol screenings, the company said. Bilingual nurse practitioners or physician assistants will be on hand to analyze results and refer patients to their primary care physician or no- and low-cost medical facilities.

To encourage participation, CVS Health said it is working with the YMCA in Houston to drum up patients.

“Health screenings are the first step in recognizing opportunities for improving one's health," YMCA of Greater Houston association director of community health Lharissa Jacobs said. "Screenings, like those provided at Project Health, provide people with valuable information to make important decisions in reclaiming their health for the long run, and the Y is so pleased to encourage people to live their healthiest life."

CVS Health said the Houston screenings are part of Project Health efforts in 10 cities that will host 450 wellness events to more than 887,000 people.