Press Releases
DATE: 1 June 2009
RELEASE NO: 09-18
Series of FQHC coordinated health events begin
By Mr. Gerald Sonnenberg
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- On May 2, St. Louis’ four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers (GHNHC), Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, Family Care Health Centers, and Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers, began their series of three, free and low-cost screening events to address important health issues affecting the medically underserved in St. Louis.
Each event occurs simultaneously at each FQHC on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The May 2 event targeted reducing infant mortality and low birth weight babies by trying to increase first trimester enrollment in prenatal care; providing on-site, walk-in pregnancy testing; nutrition counseling; and conducting Medicaid eligibility determinations. At GHNHC, several young women either received a pregnancy test or were scheduled to return for services at a later date. Others took advantage of the free health screenings that were available.
The next event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 and will focus on health issues significant to men, like hypertension and prostate health.
The final joint event will be held on July 11. That event attempts to increase first day attendance in St. Louis schools by providing convenient, low-cost school physicals. These efforts are a first step in addressing issues that are of particular interest to St. Louis.
The Murphy-O’Fallon Health Center at 1717 Biddle is the location of all three GHNHC events.
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