Mobile health services offered at 11 sites and one special event in January 

SARASOTA COUNTY -The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County's (DOH-Sarasota) Health In Motion Mobile Medical Unit staff will provide free and low-cost health services at 11 sites around the county during January. The mobile medical unit will also be present at the Spanish Point Winter and Wellness Fair and Expo, 337 N. Tamiami Trail in Osprey, on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The services offered through the mobile unit include diabetes education and screening, blood pressure tests, pregnancy testing, HIV testing, body mass index (BMI) measurement, and health education. A number of adult immunizations including flu shots, the pneumonia vaccine, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDaP) vaccine, and Hepatitis A & B vaccines are now being offered.

Many of these vaccines are available at no-cost to adults who qualify. There is a fee associated with some services. The staff is now able to accept credit/debit card payment via VISA, MASTERCARD, & DISCOVER.

The staff also assists individuals who lack medical insurance and do not have a health care provider to find a medical home for ongoing health care.

No appointment is needed. Some services are free, including HIV rapid testing with results in 20 minutes and tobacco cessation referrals to any of the three no-cost options offered by Tobacco Free Florida's 3 Ways to Quit. Other services are provided on a sliding-fee scale based on income. A registered nurse is available at all sites. While these services are most often provided in a 40-foot-long bus, there are times when services are provided inside the facilities visited.

The following is a schedule of dates and locations for the mobile unit:

The mobile medical unit will not be visiting the following locations due to staff limitations and holiday observances during January: Goodwill Manasota North Trail Center, Harvest House Transitional Center in Sarasota and Nokomis Park Community Center in Nokomis.

For more information, call 941-861-5000 or visit http://www.sarasotahealth.org.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), or who wish to file a complaint, should contact Sarasota County ADA/ Civil Rights Coordinator, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236. Phone: 941-861-5000, TTY 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771; email: adacoordinator@scgov.net

MEDIA NOTES:

DOH-Sarasota Media Contact: Dianne Shipley, 941-861-2852; cell 941-302-1058; DOHSarasotaNews@FLHealth.gov
DOH-Sarasota website: http://www.sarasotahealth.org