Free, low-cost health screenings available Oct. 10 during United Way's Adrian Health Check

ADRIAN — The first of three planned Health Checks for this fall, led by the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties , will be coming to Adrian from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct 10.

The United Way’s free and low-cost health screenings for the 2024 fall season start in Adrian at First United Methodist Church , 1245 W. Maple Ave., and continue into Monroe County on Oct. 24 at Knights of Columbus Hall , 202 W. Front St., and into November at Carleton United Methodist Church , 11435 Grafton Road on Nov. 7.

Each of the Health Checks are open to the public and are presented by ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, Family Medical Center and the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties. Appointments are not necessary, and people can simply walk in to utilize the services provided. All are welcome to attend a Health Check in either county.

The cost for a 22-panel blood test is $20 and includes the following tests: a complete blood count, glucose, kidney function, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, thyroid function and total cholesterol check. Additional Vitamin D and HA1C tests are available at a minimum cost.

Vitamin D tests measure how much vitamin D is in your body, which is essential for healthy bones. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to health problems, including cardiovascular disease.

HA1C (also called Glycohemoglobin) is a blood test that is an aid in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. It is an index of the person’s blood sugar from the previous few months.

All tests range in price from $10 to $20, the United Way said. The costs for the Health Check are held to a minimum because of partnership collaborations. A 12-hour fasting period is recommended before taking any of the blood tests.

“We are so excited to offer our fall Health Check event once again. This is a much-needed service for the communities we serve,” Laura Schultz Pipis, executive director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties, said in a news release. “Special thanks and recognition to ProMedica Charles & Virginia Hospital and Family Medical Center for all their hard work and dedication in making our Health Check events possible.”

Initial funding for the project comes from the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties and ProMedica Charles & Virginia Hickman Hospital, which conducts all the testing and lab work. The United Way coordinates a multiple-agency health fair with partner agencies. Volunteer staffing at the Adrian Health Check is coordinated by community partners including the First Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh and the ProMedica Adrian Ebeid Neighborhood Promise .

At the health fair, the following services will be provided:

• Family Medical Center will provide blood pressure checks before blood draws can be made.
• Vaccines are available from Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy .
• Other organizations represented include the Lenawee County Health Department , Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Wellwise Services Area Agency on Aging , among others.

Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital also will provide staffing from its diabetes management, emergency and stroke departments, the United Way said.

After being completed, blood test results are mailed directly from the lab to the individual’s home address. It is then the individual's responsibility to take the results to their medical professional for further advice/guidance.

Free medication disposal is another part of the Health Checks.

“This is a safe way for you to dispose of any expired or unused prescription or over-the-counter medication,” the United Way said.

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Drop off of medication is anonymous and any patient identifying information will be destroyed. Syringes, liquids or creams are not accepted.

The medication disposal is made possible through a partnership with the Lenawee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition , Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy and the Adrian Police Department .

For additional information about any of the upcoming fall Health Checks in Adrian and in Monroe County, contact the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties at 517-264-6821, email Schultz Pipis at lpipis@unitedwayMLC.org or visit unitedwaymlc.org .

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman .

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Free, low-cost health screenings available Oct. 10 during United Way's Adrian Health Check