Mobile health screening van returns to city and county Metro Transit locations

ST. LOUIS – The Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Center’s Mobile Health Screenings Van will be providing free blood pressure screenings and other basic health assessments to transit riders, beginning May 7th.

Announced on Wednesday, Metro Transit riders and nearby residents will have access to free mobile health screening at seven different Metro Transit Center locations in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. This will be the second year that Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers makes monthly visits to Transit Centers.

“Our goal is to educate, support, and increase awareness of quality health care and social services,” Vickie Wade, executive vice president of Clinical Services with Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, said. “This program strengthens the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers’ ability to offer care to residents of the St. Louis community who are medically uninsured.”

The mobile health screening van will provide screenings from May 7, 2019, until October 25, 2019, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Tuesdays:

First Tuesday of the Month: Grand MetroLink Station (3560 Scott Avenue)
Second Tuesday of the Month: UMSL South Metro Transit Center (7790 Natural Bridge Road)
Third Tuesday of the Month: Riverview Transit Center (9000 Riverview Drive)
Fourth Tuesday of the Month: North County Transit Center (3140 Pershall Road)

Fridays

First Friday of the Month: Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center (250 DeBaliviere Avenue)
Second Friday of the Month: Wellston Transit Center (6420 Plymouth Avenue)
Third Friday of the Month: Civic Center Transit Center (401 South 14th Street)

“The Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers program creates an important bridge for our transit riders and local residents who need better access to health care resources,” Jessica Mefford-Miller, executive director of Metro Transit, said. “Our goal is more than providing access to health care assessments. We want to help people establish connections to regular, affordable, and sustainable long-term health care resources.”

The mobile health van services are free, with no insurance, payment or copay required. Adults 18 years of age and older can stop by the van during operating hours with no appointment necessary.

Not only with adults be given blood screenings and other health assessments at no charge, they will also be given assistance in applying for health insurance as well as options for follow-up care at area community health centers.

According to research established by the organizations, areas of the St. Louis region have populations who have lower access to health care resources and experience greater barriers that are associated with the cost of care.

“These types of programs and partnerships are opportunities for us to repurpose Metro Transit assets to support ridership growth and create a stronger transit experience,” John Langa, vice president of economic development for Bi-State Development, said. “Our region has made a substantial investment in its transit system, and we are always looking for ways to maximize the benefits it delivers to the community.”

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