“You Ask the Senior Question—We Find the Savvy Answer”
Free Health Screenings for the Uninsured
Dear Savvy Senior,
Last month I got a free cholesterol and blood- pressure screening at my local pharmacy. The pharmacist told me that there are many organizations that offer free or low-cost health screenings to help uninsured people in need. Where can I find out about these free screenings?
Waiting for Medicare
Dear Waiting
There are countless organizations, government agencies, and even businesses across the country today that provide free or low-cost health screenings. There’s no one single resource for locating them, but a good first step is a call your city, county, or state health department to ask if they are planning or know of any upcoming health fairs or free screening programs. You should also check with your local hospitals, pharmacies, and senior centers. National and local health associations may also help you identify disease-specific screenings. For example, to search for free/low-cost cancer screenings contact the American Cancer Society (800-227-2345). Or to look for diabetes screenings call your local American Diabetes Association office (call 800-342-2383 to get your number).
In the meantime, here are some national screening programs and services you should know about.
Vascular disease: Throughout September, a program called Legs for Life offers free screenings for peripheral arterial disease, a “hardening of the arteries” condition that indicates an increased risk for heart attack or stroke. Visit www.legsforlife.org on the Internet or call (800) 488-7284. Another resource that maintains a directory of healthcare facilities that offer free/low-cost vascular screenings is www.vascularweb.org. Also see www.cdc.gov/wisewoman, and www.sistertosister.org to find women-specific cardiovascular screenings in multiple cities.
Skin cancer: The American Academy of Dermatology (888-462-3376, www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings) offers free screenings done by hundreds of volunteer dermatologists across the U.S. Free screenings are also offered by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (www.skincancertakesfriends.org; 847-956-0900)), and the Skin Cancer Foundation (www.skincancer.org; 800-754-6490).
Breast and cervical cancer: The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp; 800-232-4636) provides low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women access to free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests. Free/low-cost breast cancer screenings will also be available at hundreds of hospitals and clinics on National Mammography Day on Oct. 17, 2008. Visit www.nbcam.org and click on “Find a Mammography Center Near You” for more information.
Prostate cancer: During national Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, September 1 –20, (www.pcaw.com; 866-477-6788) the Prostate Cancer Educational Council coordinates with hundreds of local sites across the U.S. offering free or low-cost screenings to all men over the age of 45, or to high risk men (African Americans or those with a family history of the disease) over 40.
Kidney disease: The National Kidney Foundation (www.keeponline.org; 800-622-9010) offers free screenings in 48 communities across the country for those at elevated risk—adults with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease. They also offer free screenings in at least 20 additional cities on World Kidney Day, March 12, 2009.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
