Press Releases
Year
Thursday December 1 is World AIDS Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2005
Contact
Julie Pryde, Director Division of HIV/STD/TB Prevention & Management
217-239-7827
Diana Yates, Communications Coordinator
217-531-4275
Thursday December 1 is World AIDS Day
Public Health’s Mobile Unit is a Model for the State, Bringing HIV Counseling, Testing and Other Vital Health Services to Those Most at Risk
December 1 is World AIDS Day, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is at the forefront of bringing HIV counseling and testing to individuals and communities at risk. This month the Illinois Department of Public Health recognized the Health District’s pioneering program to use mobile health units to bring HIV testing, counseling and other vital health services to those who might not otherwise get these services.
In a press release this month, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Eric E. Whitaker praised the Health District’s Wellness on Wheels (WOW) program, which was launched in 2002 in collaboration with Carle Foundation Hospital. The program was later expanded to include Christie Clinic’s mobile unit and this summer the Health District acquired its own mobile health unit, dubbed WOWee.
Wellness on Wheels offers blood pressure and blood sugar tests; cholesterol tests; vaccinations; Hepatitis A & B immunizations; Hepatitis C tests; HIV counseling and testing; tests and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; pregnancy tests; help with KidCare and FamilyCare health insurance applications and health information and supplies. Program staff includes nurses, counselors, health educators, and Spanish- language translators.
The mobile units serve hundreds of clients a year at various locations in Champaign, Vermilion and Macon Counties.
“We are committed to providing testing services to those most at-risk, where and when they need them,” said Julie Pryde, director of Public Health’s Infectious Disease Prevention & Management division and founder of the state’s mobile HIV/AIDS outreach programs.
Citing the success of the Health District mobile programs, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced in September that the state would bring many of the same mobile services to communities in eight other counties that lack medical resources.
“This is an expansion of the highly successful Wellness on Wheels van currently serving the Champaign and Decatur areas, bringing HIV and STD testing to residents of public housing complexes, shelters and the homeless,” read a press release from the state health department in September.
Since 1981, more than 30,000 Illinoisans have been diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Of that figure, about 53 percent have died. The number of Illinois cases is the sixth highest total in the U.S., trailing New York, California, Florida, Texas and New Jersey.
On December 1 the Health District’s Division of Infectious Disease Prevention & Management will offer HIV counseling and testing in Urbana, Champaign and Decatur:
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From 8-noon and 1-4 at the Health District satellite office, 217 N. Broadway, in Urbana. Call 217-239-7827 to make an appointment.
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From 8-noon and 1-4 at the Health District Main Building, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign (as part of the Health District’s weekly sexually transmitted disease clinics). Walk-ins are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, or for a schedule of HIV counseling and testing services in Decatur on December 1, please call 217-239-7827.
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Get Your “Health Check” This December in Champaign
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2005
Contact
Division of Chronic Disease Prevention & Management,
217-531-2904
Diana Yates, Communications Coordinator
217-531-4275
Get Your “Health Check” This December in Champaign
Adult Flu & Pneumonia Shots Also Offered at Health Check Clinics
The Champaign County Public Health Department and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District are offering the following Health Check Clinics in Champaign this December. Any Champaign County resident aged 18 or older is eligible for the blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings offered at the clinics. Adult flu and pneumonia shots will also be available.
The Health Check Clinics in Champaign will be:
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Wednesday, December 7, and Wednesday, December 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District main building, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign.
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Thursday, December 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hays Center, 1311 W. Church St., Champaign.
Flu shots cost $18.70. Pneumonia shots are $29.70. Blood pressure screenings are free. Blood sugar tests cost $2 and cholesterol checks cost $4. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. For clinics in Rantoul, Mahomet, St. Joseph or Tolono, or more information, please call the Health Check Hotline at 217-31-4252.
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Get Your “Health Check” This December in Mahomet, Rantoul, St. Joseph or Tolono
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2005
Contact
Division of Community Health Nursing
217-531-2904
Diana Yates, Communications Coordinator
217-531-4275
Get Your “Health Check” This December in Mahomet, Rantoul, St. Joseph or Tolono
Flu & Pneumonia Shots Also Available for Adults and Children
The CHAMPAIGN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT is offering Health Check Clinics in Mahomet, Rantoul, St. Joseph and Tolono this December. Any Champaign County resident aged 18 or older is eligible for the blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings offered at the clinics. Adult and child flu and pneumonia shots are also available.
The County Health Check Clinics will be:
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Thursday, December 8, from 3-6 p.m., and Thursday, December 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Champaign County Community Service Center, 520 E. Wabash, Rantoul.
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Tuesday, December 6, from 3-6 p.m. at the Mahomet Community Center, 508 E. Main St., Mahomet.
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Tuesday, December 13, from 3-6 p.m. at the St. Joseph Municipal Building, 207 E. Lincoln St., St. Joseph.
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Thursday, December 15, from 3-6 p.m. at the Tolono Public Library, 111 E. Main St., Tolono.
Adult flu shots cost $18.70. Adult pneumonia shots are $29.70. Child flu & pneumonia shots are free to children who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native. Underinsured children include those who have health insurance but whose coverage does not include vaccines. Children whose health insurance covers only select vaccines or caps the vaccine cost at a certain limit are categorized as underinsured.
No one will be turned away for inability to pay. For more information, please call the Health Check & Flu Shot Hotline at 217-531-4252.
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Download 2005-11-28-County-Flu-PR