The Doctors: Minorities & Health Insurance
Are you among the 41 million Americans who don’t have health insurance? Among minorities, The Doctors found that ⅓ of African Americans and ½ of Hispanics reported going without health insurance last year.
In treating many conditions, early detection is key. That’s why CVS pharmacist Usheema Thomas announced that CVS offers free screenings in some cities year round.
The Drs TV: Minority Health Awareness Month
The CVS Project health program screens for common health concerns, including Body Mass Index (BMI), high Blood Pressure & Cholesterol, as well as high Glucose levels. High numbers on these screenings can mean a higher risk for Heart Attack or Stroke, often without warning.
April is Minority Health Awareness Month, and Dr. Lisa Masterson mentioned that some ethnic groups are at a disproportionately higher risk for certain conditions, such as Diabetes. African Americans tend to have higher blood pressure, she said.
The Doctors: Cornelius’s Story
Cornelius happened to see a sign advertising the free CVS screenings, so he stopped in. The woman who evaluated him said his Blood Pressure was in stroke range, and she referred him to the ER.
While he was at the hospital, the left side of his body tensed and he had a mild stroke. His impulse to stop in at CVS possibly saved his life. Usheema Thomas reported that since his Stroke, Cornelius has lost 40 pounds and improved his diet; now he’s running two miles a day. His wife has also lost 30 pounds.
He also has reduced his daily medication regimen from eight prescriptions to three. Dr. Travis said he is a great example of how regular health screenings can make a difference.
The Doctors: Free CVS Health Screenings
“We are committed to helping you on a path to better health,” CVS’s Usheema Thomas said. She gave everyone in the audience a CVS Pharmacy gift card.
The top 10 cities mentioned in the show were:
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Washington, DC
Find more information about screenings in your area at cvs.com/projecthealth.
The Drs TV: Being Naked Health Benefits
To conclude the show, Dr. Travis said that being comfortable with your body, naked or not, is an important key to your health. As patients, we have the best chance to become experts on our own bodies and notice subtle changes our doctors may need to know about.
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