CVS Health’s Project Health to provide $10 million in free screenings

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health will kick off Project Health, its annual free health screening campaign, at select CVS/pharmacy locations on Oct. 15. Over the next four months, the wellness program will deliver more than $10 million worth of free health services, with more than 700 Project Health events being held in 20 markets.

 

“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,” Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer of CVS Health, said. “Our free health screenings can help identify health concerns or risk factors for participants who may not have access to care otherwise.”

 

Project Health offers an array of free comprehensive health risk assessments, including blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose and total cholesterol screenings. Project Health events are held in multicultural communities where residents disproportionately suffer from certain treatable conditions, such as diabetes. 

 

“Over the years, many of the patients we've seen at Project Health events have had abnormal glucose screening results,” Brennan added. “In fact, 27% of the patients screened in 2014 had abnormal glucose levels that had not been previously diagnosed. That's three times higher than the national average.”

 

To help customers and patients with diabetes manage their condition, upcoming Project Health events will offer diabetes-specific information and resources to patients. Some events will feature diabetes educators who will be available to provide attendees with one-on-one guidance and support.

 

Additionally, Project Health events will be offering discussions with health plan representatives at select locations, so attendees can better understand the health insurance options available to them in the marketplace.

 

Project Health events, held in markets with large multicultural populations, are open to everyone and do not require an appointment. 

 

CVS/pharmacy will offer on-site consultations with bilingual (Spanish/English) nurse practitioners or physician assistants who will analyze results and refer patients who require additional medical attention to no- or low-cost medical facilities nearby or to their primary care physician if additional follow-up care is necessary. CVS pharmacists will be available to conduct one-on-one medication reviews and answer any questions patients may have.

 

Since 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $75 million worth of free healthcare services to nearly 760,000 people, demonstrating the continuing need for these critical services. As a result, many areas of concern among participants were discovered:

 

Project Health events will be held from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and/or Sundays at select CVS/pharmacy locations, with no appointment needed. For a full calendar of Project Health events, visit the Project Health site in English or Spanish.