By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Sept. 24, 2002
A local health clinic is offering free health screenings today as part of a nationwide campaign to encourage people to take better care of themselves.
The Greater Meridian Health Clinic Inc. is hosting "Take A loved One to the Doctor Day." Clinic officials say people should see a health care professional today or at least make an appointment with one.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the ABC Radio Urban Advantage Network created the campaign to shed light on the "health gap" between racial and ethnic populations and the public in general.
While today is specifically targeted toward blacks, the campaign urges all Americans to take their health more seriously beginning by going to a health care professional for a check-up.
The campaign asks individuals to identify someone who hasn't been to the doctor lately, make an appointment for them and take them.
The campaign emphasizes the importance of going to local health fairs or community health events.
It advises those who don't have health insurance to contact their local community health center or local health department to ask about free or low-cost care.
The "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" is part of the Health and Human Services "Closing the Health Gap" campaign.
The campaign started last year to generate a greater understanding of the importance of regular health screenings while focusing on people who tend to have the least access to health care.
HOW TO TAKE PART
The event: "Take A loved One to the Doctor Day," hosted by the Greater Meridian Health Clinic Inc.
The goal: Encourage people to take better care of themselves by seeing a doctor today.
The clinic: Offers free health screenings today for people who take advantage of the campaign.
The Greater Meridian Health Clinic's main office is at 2701 Davis St. in Meridian. Satellite clinics are in Kemper, Noxubee and Winston counties.
For more information, call toll free (877) 637-8948 or visit the clinic's Web site at http://www.gmhcinc.org.
For more information on "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," visit the Office on Minority Health Resource Center Web site at http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov.