Lawrence Eisenstein

A new community health screening program was recently initiated in Nassau County, N.Y.  The Nassau County Department of Health, in partnership with NuHealth, County Executive Edward Mangano, Nassau County Legislator Ciotti, and many local community leaders, held the first installment of the new “Health Checks” program. The event was held at Elmont Public Library, with a goal to link local residents with continuing care at the nearby Elmont Community Health Center.  

The event consisted of medical screenings -- including blood pressure, BMI and dental screening --  and counseling sessions by the medical staff of the Elmont Health center. Facilitated enrollment was provided by multiple agencies, and people previously without doctors left the event with follow-up appointments at the Health Center. A mobile mammography van provided mammograms to people with and without appointments, as well as follow-up appointments when necessary. Dental services were provided by the new Stony Brook University Dental Van. Exercise classes, gardening, and healthy eating discussions were popular. Medical Reserve Corp participation was vital, and a Medical Reserve Corp pharmacy table helped answer questions about the medications residents take, including interactions. Tables supporting seniors’ health, fall prevention, and pandemic influenza were onsite. Bicycle helmets were donated and raffled off, and Island Harvest provided bags of food to those in need.

This is the first such event, and the hope is to continue to ensure linkage to care at Elmont Health Center, and other Nassau County Community Health Centers.

Lawrence Eisenstein can be reached at Lawrence.Eisenstein@hhsnassaucountyny.us