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| BCFS President and CEO Kevin Dinnin speaks about how this new program will bring health care and awareness about common and preventable illnesses into San Antonians daily lives. |
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| Dr. Guerra notes startling statistics regarding the number of fatalities suffered in San Antonio due to diabetes. |
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| Adults and children get screened during the day's health fair. |
Baptist Health System and BCFS today announced a new mobile medical partnership that will impact the lives of thousands of San Antonians. Conducted via a state-of-the-art mobile medical unit, the program’s mission has been coined “Driving Health Forward,” and will offer cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and body mass index screenings, as well as provide risk assessments for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Screenings will be open to the public for free or low-cost.
“For decades, Baptist Health System has demonstrated its commitment to caring for our community by building hospitals around the city, near where people live and work,” said Graham Reeve, Baptist Health System President and Chief Executive Officer. “Now, by expanding our relationship with BCFS, we are able to improve access to health care by actually taking screenings and care into neighborhoods. We want to eliminate barriers to good health.”
According to the Texas Diabetes Institute, more than 73,000 people in San Antonio suffer from diabetes. The disease is the 6th leading cause of death in Texas and the 4th leading cause of death in Bexar County. Chronic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and renal failure are also found in high numbers across Bexar County.
“Early detection and education regarding how to control these common health issues are paramount. For any number of reasons, hundreds of thousands of people throughout our city are suffering from diseases both known and unknown,” said Kevin Dinnin, BCFS President and CEO. “Our goal is to end this trend by offering easily accessible screenings and raising awareness of available resources for healthy living.”
“Driving Health Forward” screenings will be offered at high volume commercial locations, such as shopping malls, community centers and housing projects; community health and wellness fairs; senior centers; corporate wellness events; churches; and school events. If a serious condition is detected during the screening, the individual will be referred to their physician for follow up medical care. Educational materials will be provided so that residents can reduce their risk of developing chronic disease.
Today’s announcement was made at a back-to-school health fair held at the Boys & Girls Club – Calderon Branch, where nearly 1,000 children and families showed up to be screened and participate in the day’s events. Dr. Fernando Guerra, Director of Health for the Metropolitan Health District, served as the keynote speaker. In the past year, Dr. Guerra has pinpointed cardiovascular disease and diabetes as the two most critically important health issues facing San Antonio.
“Taking affordable health care screenings, especially those that include BMI, directly into neighborhoods can have quite an impact on the health and well being of our community,” said Dr. Guerra. “The greater understanding individuals have of their health status, the more willing they may be to change it.”
To request a screening service visit by the Mobile Health Screening Unit, please visit www.bhsscreening.com and complete the request form.
To find out where the Mobile Health Screening Unit will be conducting free, public screenings, call (210) 297-7005 or visit www.bhsscreening.com.
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