Mobile health screening services at multiple locations during June  

SARASOTA, FL - In observance of National Men’s Health Month, local health officials remind men to take steps to stay healthy by getting health screenings on a regular basis. According to national surveys, men do not seek out health care or preventive health screenings as often as women, and men are more likely to be uninsured than women.

“These services are easy to access through the Health In Motion Mobile Medical Unit (MMU). We provide free and low-cost public health services around the county during June,” says Bob DeKeulenaere of the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) who is the MMU’s nurse and coordinator.

The Health In Motion Mobile Medical Unit staff provides a variety of health screenings and health education to assist individuals in making healthy lifestyle choices. Individuals who need follow-up medical care as referred to a primary health care provider.

Health In Motion Mobile Medical Unit services include:

• Diabetes education and screening
• Blood pressure tests
• No cost HIV & Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) testing
• Body mass index (BMI) measurement
• Tobacco cessation referrals to any of the three no-cost options offered by Tobacco Free Florida’s ‘3 Ways to Quit’
• Health education
• Adult immunizations including flu shots

No appointment is needed and a registered nurse is available at all sites. Testing is fast and easy. HIV rapid testing results are available in 20 minutes. STD testing results are sent to the individual using a special coded text message. The staff also assists individuals who lack medical insurance and do not have a health care provider to find a medical home for ongoing health care. There is a fee associated with some services; however, several tests and vaccines are available at no-cost to adults who qualify. Credit/debit card payment via VISA, MASTERCARD, and DISCOVER is accepted.

Services are typically provided in a 40-foot-long bus. However, there are times when services are provided inside the facilities visited.

The following is a schedule of dates and locations for the mobile unit:

SARASOTA Thursdays, June 4, 18 and 25, 9:30-3 p.m. Salvation Army 1400 10th St. Monday, June 22, 9:30-3 p.m. Walmart Neighborhood Market 3500 N. Tamiami Trail Tuesday, June 23, Noon-4 p.m. Janie’s Garden Apartments 2350 Central Ave. LAUREL Wednesday, June 17, 1-4 p.m. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food distribution program Sandra Sims Terry Community Center 509 Collins Road NOKOMIS Wednesday, June 10, 9 a.m.-noon Nokomis Park Community Center 234 E. Nippino Trail

VENICE Wednesday, June 17, 9:30 a.m.-noon Habitat for Humanity Re-Store 1400 Ogden Road Wednesday, June 24, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Salvation Army Family Store 1160 U.S. 41 Bypass South NORTH PORT Friday, June 19, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Goodwill Manasota Center in North Port 14809 Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41 and Sumter Boulevard) Monday, June 29, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Publix Super Market at Heron Creek Towne Center 1291 S. Sumter Boulevard

The mobile medical unit will not be visiting the following locations during June: Goodwill Manasota Center North Trail, Harvest House Transitional Center and Career Source Suncoast in Sarasota, Walmart Supercenter in North Port and Elsie Quirk Library in Englewood. For more information, call 941-861-5000 or visit http://www.sarasotahealth.org Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at www.scgov.net/ADA/Pages/default.aspx

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MEDIA NOTES: DOH-Sarasota Media Contact: Dianne Shipley, 941-861-2852; cell 941-302-1058; DOHSarasotaNews@FLHealth.gov Website: http://www.sarasotahealth.org