ADA COUNTY, Idaho — Free flu shots while supplies last, basic physical and dental exams, and on-site testing for blood sugar and cholesterol levels are included in free services offered at two free upcoming community health screenings in the Treasure Valley.
The first screening is October 10 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boise and the second is November 14 at Sherman Elementary School in Nampa. They run from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
The screenings are for people 18 and older who have no health insurance or limited access to preventive health care. The Idaho Foodbank will provide free boxes of food for participants.
“Now is the time to protect yourself from the flu. Every year Idaho reports multiple deaths due to the influenza virus. A flu shot not only protects you, but those around you,” said Dr. Glenda Carr, screening organizer and Idaho State University-Meridian clinical assistant pharmacy professor.
Idaho State University faculty and student clinicians administer the services which include:
- Blood pressure checks, medication reviews and disease education
- Oral/dental health evaluation and education
- Depression and alcohol screenings and questionnaires
- On-site testing for blood sugar levels, cholesterol, HIV and hepatitis C
- Hearing and eye screenings
- Nutrition assessments and recommendations
- Health education
- Traumatic brain injury screenings
The full screening process takes about 90 minutes, and patients in immediate need are given appointments at low-cost or free Treasure Valley clinics for additional care. A goal of the screenings is to help patients identify potential health problems before their conditions worsen, forcing them to seek more expensive treatment or emergency hospital care.
The Community Health Screening Program began in March 2010 and has screened more than 1,000 adults. Partners are ISU-Meridian, Ada County, the Idaho Foodbank and Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho.
For more information, call 373-1700 or email healthyU@isu.edu.
