GOLDEN VALLEY, MN--(Marketwire - May 8, 2012) - It's been nearly one year since a tornado tore through portions of North Minneapolis. Even before that eventful day, many residents in this part of the city had challenges accessing adequate health care. This month, Health Fair 11 is bringing a mobile health screening unit to the area to help connect residents with health resources in their community.
The Health Fair 11 in the "Q"mmunity project will bring free screenings for diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure to the North Minneapolis YMCA. The "Q"mmunity mobile medical unit is owned and operated by Southside Community Health Services. It will be stationed at the North Minneapolis Y on May 14, 15, and 16. Medical staff will be available daily 3:00 - 8:00pm. Appointments are not necessary. People will be screened on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Our goal is twofold," said Southside's Outreach Director Clarence Jones. "First, we want to provide simple health screenings that can detect serious health issues. Secondly, we want to connect North Minneapolis residents with a medical home and the wide variety of health resources that already exist in the community, but aren't well known or are under-utilized."
Screening costs for Health Fair 11 in the "Q"mmunity are being covered by Health Fair 11. Health Fair 11 is a collaboration among KARE 11, UCare, and North Memorial. Additional support for the "Q"mmunity project comes from the YMCA and Southside Community Health Services.
Organizations taking part in Health Fair 11 in the "Q"mmunity include: NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Clear Corps, University of Minnesota Program in Health Disparities Research, Family Partnership, Broadway Clinic, Twin Cities Healthy Start. Other groups expected to participate include: Minnesota Black Nurses Association (MNBNA), Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency (MVNA), and Neighborhood Health Source.
About the "Q"mmunity Mobile Medical Unit
The "Q"mmunity Mobile Medical Unit is owned and operated by Southside Community Health Services. The 37-foot RV is equipped to provide a variety of services like diabetes and cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, and health education in multiple languages.
About Health Fair 11
Health Fair 11 has been working to improve community health since 1987. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to provide health education, materials for consumers, and free or low-cost screenings to members of the community. For additional information: healthfair@kare11.com
Contact Information:
Contact:
Craig Hotvedt
Health Fair 11
763.797.7299