Feb. 7 community health screening to offer free flu shots and hepatitis C screenings

The free screening for uninsured adults is from Thursday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 707 W. Fort St., Boise. In addition to flu shots and hepatitis C screenings, services will include:

• Basic physical exams, blood pressure checks, and medication reviews
• Dental evaluations
• Hearing, depression and alcohol screenings and questionnaires
• On-site testing for blood sugar levels and HIV status 
• Mammogram referrals
• Nutrition assessment and recommendations
• Health education

“Prevention is a crucial piece of health care, and our mission with these screening events is to identify individuals at risk of preventable diseases,” said Dr. Glenda Carr, an ISU-Meridian assistant clinical pharmacy professor and co-director of the health screening program.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends people born between 1954 and 1965 get screened for hepatitis C, a blood-borne infection that increases a person’s chance of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer.  There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

“It (hepatitis C) can take up to 30 years to seriously affect the liver,” said Judy Thorne, ISU-Meridian’s viral hepatitis and HIV educator.  “If an individual knows that they have chronic hep C, they can take proactive steps toward better health.” 

Hepatitis C screenings are conducted by collecting a small drop of blood from a finger.  Results are 98 to 99 percent accurate, according to Thorne.

The Feb. 7 community health screening is the 18th conducted by ISU-Meridian, Ada County, Central District Health, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare since March 2010. More than 500 adults have participated with many being referred to low-cost clinics and doctors for further treatment.

The full screening process takes about an hour.  No appointment is necessary. Valley Ride bus stops are nearby. For more information, call 373-1700 or email healthyU@isu.edu.