LAS CRUCES – Bridge to Health, a relaunched program to improve access to health resources, is holding a Free Community Health and Wellness Fair for Wellness Testing on Saturday November 13th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, COVID-19- Vaccinations, health insurance, and more.
According to a press release, the program connects community members with free health exams and tests, educational resources, and other local services. They are supported by Quest Diagnostics’ Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) initiative. The aim is to improve health equity in underserved communities.
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“Access to health services is critical as the pandemic has forced many people to postpone routine care,” said Mandell Jackson, vice president and general manager of Q4HE. “By partnering with trusted community organizations, we hope to unite and collectively address the needs of the community in a broader way.”
On Saturday, Bridge to Health will start its first community event in Las Cruces at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 255 W. Griggs Ave. A similar event will be held on December 11th in Albuquerque and various other parts of the state forward.
Free on-site wellness tests and screenings will be offered to the first 150 adults in Las Cruces on Saturday. For others, free appointments are given. The tests include:
- Blood pressure
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Blood sugar
- Oxygen content
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Hemoglobin a1c
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
- Lipid panel
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Other services at the health fair include COVID-19 vaccinations, help with signing up for beWellnm health insurance, a community resource fair for signing up for local programs and services, a healthy food giveaway for the first 200 families (including fresh fruit and vegetables), a children’s zone and entertainment for all participants.
“St. Paul’s is proud to support this important event for the ward as an extension of our ministry in Las Cruces, ”said Rev. Greg Kennedy, pastor of the United Methodist Church in St. Paul. “We hope the community will benefit from this great opportunity and the Bridge to Health program.”
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Free public transportation will also be provided in Las Cruces on Saturday so people can attend the fair. Bus rides are free all day, compliments the city of Las Cruces RoadRUNNER Transit.
The Bridge to Health website also helps connect to nearby resources through the Family Resource Connector online tool.
For more information, please visit the program website at www.bridgetohealth.com or www.bridgetohealth.com/es/ for the Spanish version.
Leah Romero is the trend reporter for Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached on Twitter at 575-418-3442, [email protected] or @rromero_leah.
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