HARTFORD, Conn. -- Trinity Health Of New England, UConn Health, My People Community Services, and CT Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hosted a “Men’s Health is Community Health” event on Saturday, February 24 at Saint Francis Hospital’s Connecticut Institute for Primary Care Innovation (CIPCI).
Saturday’s event, which was free to the public, provided various health screenings including blood glucose, blood pressure, prostate cancer, and oral health, as well as education on sickle cell anemia. The screenings were performed by UConn School of Medicine Urban Service Track medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and physician assistant students. In addition, attendees participated in a town hall seminar with physician experts to discuss primary care, cancer care, cardiology, rehabilitation, urology, and weight management.
Along with screenings and seminars, there were informational tables from local organizations, door prizes, and additional giveaways. During the seminar, attendees were provided a complimentary lunch, sponsored by Aetna.
“The Men’s Health Institute at Trinity Health Of New England is committed to providing care and education to all members of our surrounding communities,” said Dr. York Moy, Regional Director of Urology and the Men’s Health Institute at Trinity Health Of New England. “In conjunction with our partners, we are proud to offer this series of Men’s Health Events to reach the underserved community members and help empower them to take control of their health. Bringing preventative screenings along with education to convenient, non-clinical spaces is an invaluable way to improve health equity in our local communities.”
“I believe these events are a can’t miss for the men in our community and I would love to see as many men in attendance as possible,” said Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad, Executive Director of My People Community Services. “I have witnessed first-hand the impacts of missing out on something as simple as a blood glucose screening, ultimately leading to a life-threatening diabetic event. The potentially life-saving screenings we are offering are free and may be just what you, your brother, your father, or spouse need to take ownership over their long-term health.”
“We are delighted to partner with My People Community Services and Trinity Health Of New England to bring screenings and health education to Hartford and the surrounding communities through this partnership,” said Dr. Anton Alerte, Associate Dean for Primary Care, UConn School of Medicine. “As
future leaders and members of healthcare teams, our Urban Health/AHEC Scholars are passionate about learning with and from the community members we serve.”
“Service is a critical component of the Urban Service Track program and dependent upon relationships with community, healthcare, and faith-based partners,” said Petra Clark-Dufner, Director of CT AHEC based at UConn Health. “We are excited to add My People Community Services as a partner to support efforts by CT AHEC/UConn Health to provide preventative and primary care initiatives to the communities we serve.”