From cholesterol and blood pressure tests to flu shots, the Salem Health Community Health Education Center is working to make care more accessible throughout our region.

On Oct. 12, health educators are partnering with Polk Community Free Clinic to offer a full lipid panel, as well as flu vaccines, at Polk County Family & Community Outreach Building in Monmouth.

“They’re open to anybody, and they’re done at no cost, but we’re hoping to reach underserved populations,” health educator Catia Garibay said.

Early detection

Garibay said this is not a diagnostic tool. Instead, the goal is early detection that patients can bring back to a provider.

“We do a little bit of education with them through our health educators and connect them to primary care in their area,” Garibay said. “The education consists of us helping them understand their results and offering them information on cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure using materials from the American Heart Association.”

That can include referring people to Oregon Health Plan, or free clinics in the region.

Improving accessibility

Garibay said in Polk County there are often barriers to care, such as transportation and language. CHEC educators make sure there is always at least one bilingual staff member available on site.

“We’re trying to build that trust with patients, especially the Spanish-speaking community,” Garibay said. “There’s a lot of fear around health care and what that looks like.”

Garibay said this is an awareness campaign, to help engage people with their health personally, as well as through a primary care provider.

“We like to tell folks whether you have insurance or not, we don’t ask any information. All they will have to fill out is a consent form,” she said.

Long-term impact

Beyond awareness, the health educator said overall population health improvements can help people avoid the need for more drastic services.

“If we’re bringing this education to folks and connecting them to care, hopefully we can prevent an emergency department visit,” Garibay said.

Garibay said following these clinics in the past, feedback was positive. Some thought their numbers were normal before a screening. Others used the information as motivation to change a health behavior, then come back again for a second screening.

How to sign up

This is a fasting screening. Educators are asking attendees to fast for a minimum of nine hours beforehand, only consuming water or black coffee during that time.

Patients will share their phone number, with consent, and educators will follow up if care is needed.

Those interested in attending can make an appointment here or call 503-814-2432.

The clinic on Saturday, Oct. 12, is from 8 to 10 a.m. at Polk County Family & Community Outreach Building, 1407 Monmouth Independence Highway in Monmouth.

A second clinic will be offered on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Ella Curran Food Bank, 854 North Main Street in Independence.