Contact: Rosie Smith FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel. 850/718-2696
Email: rsmith@jackhosp.org
JACKSON HOSPITAL ANNOUNCES MEDWHEELS-ON-THE-MOVE
Provides Free Health Screening and Education
Marianna, FL, January 20, 2009. Today, the Jackson Hospital Community Education staff announced its “MedWheels-on-the-Move” program which provides in-community health screening and education to Jackson County’s most rural residents. The free service will provide essential health care screenings for glucose and cholesterol. Participants will receive instant results.
A Clinical Health Coach is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Health Coach will be on hand to help residents learn what they can do to keep their glucose and cholesterol under control in order to avoid heart attack, stroke and diabetes.
MedWheels-on-the-Move’s first stop is Malone, Friday, January 30th. There are two times and two locations set. The first stop is Malone Town Hall at 10:00 AM, where the Mayor Gene Wright will welcome MedWheels in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The next stop at 2:00pm is Malone School. Both locations were selected to provide ease of access to the community.
According to a 2002 chronic disease profile, 16.9% of Jackson County residents live below the poverty line, have no health insurance coverage, and no healthcare provider. The chronic disease profile of these individuals is:
· Overweight – 31.70%
· Obese – 28.10%
· Hypertension – 40.80%
· Diabetes – 18.50%
· High cholesterol – 43.50%
Kathryn Jordan, Community Educator, says “We have adopted the American Heart Association’s (www.americanheart.org) ‘Know Your Numbers Campaign’ and localized it to the needs of Jackson County’s residents.” Furthermore, she says, “MedWheels-on-the-Move is how we are bringing free health screenings and education to our communities so they may have in-hand, front line information to protect their health and avoid preventable health problems.”
Mrs. Jordan challenges the Malone community to determine which Jackson County community will have the most participation. At the end of the 2009 MedWheels-on-the-Move Campaign Trail, the community having the most participants will receive recognition as Healthy Community of the Year. Check the Hospital’s website at www.jacksonhosp.com to track each community’s participation.
Jackson Hospital makes it a priority to create a healthier community one person at a time. It provides education programs directly and in partnership with other community health care providers. The hospital hosts support groups for Parkinson’s Disease, cancer, and chronic lung disease. For more information about the Hospital’s free health classes and events, contact Kathryn Jordan at (850)718-2661.
Jackson Hospital, a top 100 Hospital in the nation according to Thomson Healthcare, is the only Florida hospital in its size category to be a two-consecutive year Performance Improvement Leaders award winner. The Hospital provides a wide breadth of medical, surgical, and emergency care services from its main location in Marianna at 4250 Hospital Drive. For details about Jackson Hospital’s capabilities, visit www.jacksonhosp.com. # # #
If you’d like more information about this topic, please call Rosie at 850/718-2696 or email her at rsmith@jackhosp.org.
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