CVS is expanding its Project Health initiative into two new regions: Las Vegas and Richmond, Virginia.
The healthcare giant announced on Tuesday that it will hold 72 events dedicated to seniors and children this year. It is also adding four new mobile units in 2022.
Project Health puts on community events that offer a slew of screenings and then follow up with a nurse practitioner who can recommend next steps to the patient, including referrals and advice on follow-ups. CVS Health said that it plans to host more than 1,600 Project Health screening events in 45 states and Puerto Rico over the course of this year.
Screenings offered include blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose level and body mass index, with the goal of catching early risk for conditions like diabetes, hypertension or heart disease. The events, hosted at CVS pharmacies as well as community locations, can reach patients who may not otherwise be in regular contact with the healthcare system, CVS said.
Project Health events are also a key pillar of CVS' efforts to combat health inequities, the company said.
“At the heart of our ongoing efforts to reduce health disparities and advance health equity is our commitment to breaking down barriers for people to access quality, affordable care,” said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at CVS Health. “Through Project Health we’re meeting people where they are with a focus on areas of significant need.”
Since its inception in 2006, Project Health has provided more than $139 million in free care to more than 1.1 million people across the country. This includes some 4 million bariatric screenings in diverse communities with large populations of uninsured or underinsured patients.