Keystone Mercy Health Plan joins the NAACP, American Diabetes Association and Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. in hosting a diabetes health management program.
More than 250 Philadelphia diabetics and their families are expected to attend the "Outreach Day" event on Thursday, January 28, 2010, hosted by Keystone Mercy Health Plan, the largest Medical Assistance managed care organization in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the NAACP, American Diabetes Association, Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc, and CVS Pharmacy.
The program will provide diabetes health and nutrition-related workshops, including tips from a certified dietician. In addition, the event will feature preventive health screenings, including testing for glucose levels, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Children will enjoy a visit from Percy, the Keystone Mercy bear mascot.
Nationally, 23.6 million people--7.8 percent of the population--have diabetes, with approximately 1.6 million new cases being diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older each year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pennsylvania has approximately 872,000 adults diagnosed with diabetes, with more than 87,000 living here in Philadelphia.
As part of Keystone Mercy's mission to address health disparities, the "Outreach Day" program is designed to engage local organizations that represent diverse populations of people, with high incidences of diabetes, and educate them about health and wellness practices and opportunities within the community.
WHO:
Eric J. Berman, DO, MS, Chief Medical Officer Pennsylvania Managed Care, Keystone Mercy Health Plan,
Lenise Miller, chairperson NAACP Health Committee, NAACP
Dorothy Hart, pharmacy supervisor, CVS Pharmacy
Rosemary Perna registered dietician
WHEN:
Thursday, January 28, 2010
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE:
GPHA Woodland Avenue Health Center
5000 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
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