Rhode Island, U.S.A. — Throughout the month of August, which is National Immunization Awareness Month, CVS/pharmacy’s Project Health (“Proyecto Salud” in Spanish) is offering free health screening events focusing on vaccination reviews, vision acuity, glucose, blood pressure and BMI (Body Mass Index) for individuals in multicultural communities who have difficulty accessing preventive care.

Along with these free health screening events, CVS pharmacy designated Project Health store locations are also holding “Flu Voucher Fridays” each week during the month of August. Qualifying Project Health attendees who complete the entire health screening process and identify themselves as not having health insurance will be eligible to receive a voucher redeemable for a flu shot at CVS pharmacy or Minute Clinic this flu season.

More than 200 Project Health events will take place during the month of August in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children’s immunization records to the events in preparation for school. Although children age seven and older can participate in only two screenings – vaccination reviews and vision acuity – they are eligible to qualify to receive a flu shot voucher. The minimum vaccination age at CVS pharmacy will vary based on the state in which they are being offered.

Project Health was launched in February and is expected to deliver more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities by the end of 2012. The program will focus on dental hygiene in October and diabetes in November.

“Preventive care is so important, particularly when we’re talking about the yearly influenza vaccine,” said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. “Project Health is a program that offers people the chance to assess their health and the health of their families and gives them the information they need to help them on their path to better health.”

Project Health events, while offered to address and raise awareness of ethnic health disparities, are open to everyone and will not require an appointment. Once screened, CVS pharmacy will help patients through on-site consultations with bi-lingual (Spanish/English) nurse practitioners and pharmacists who will analyze the results and refer patients to no-cost or low-cost medical facilities within that neighborhood or to their primary care physician should additional follow-up be required.

In 2011, CVS pharmacy provided free and low-cost medical screenings and services valued at $150 per person through the To Your Health/A Su Salud programs, which evolved into the Project Health campaign.  Last year over 162,000 people were screened, underscoring the demand for these important services. Of those tested, the program detected that:

• 57 percent had at least one abnormal screening result
• 48 percent had at least one abnormal risk factor for heart disease
• 42 percent had risk factors for osteoporosis
• 27 percent had abnormal glucose readings

The Project Health events will be held at designated CVS pharmacy locations on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 2 – 6 pm daily with no appointment necessary. For more information, and a full calendar of Project Health events, please go to www.cvs.com/projecthealth or www.cvs.com/proyectosalud.

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