North Coast Health Ministry To Offer Saturday Women’s Health Day In February

The Mammo Van provides on-site mammography at NCHM on Women's Health Days

North Coast Health Ministry (NCHM) will offer a Women’s Health Day on Saturday, February 12, 2011, during which onsite mammography, breast health education, and clinical breast exams will be offered to low-income uninsured women.

“Numerous studies have shown that women are significantly less likely to have had a recent mammogram if they lack health insurance,” says Lee E. Elmore, NCHM executive director. “We have had Women’s Health Days in our clinic on regularly scheduled weekdays for several years. Offering the service on a Saturday will allow us to serve those women who cannot get here during the week due to work or family conflicts. Our goal is to ensure that all women who need breast health screenings and preventive care have access to care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.”

Multiple studies have shown that low-income, uninsured women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of breast cancer, are less likely to receive standard treatment, experience delays in initiating and completing treatment, and experience lower survival rates than those with health insurance.

The NCHM Saturday women’s health clinic is made possible with the funding support of the Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Kaiser Permanente. “With the support of Komen Northeast Ohio and Kaiser Permanente, we are working to make sure no woman in our community slips through the cracks,” says Elmore.

Patients will be seen by appointment only. Women wishing to make an appointment need to register as North Coast Health Ministry patients first. Qualifying patients are those who are uninsured, fall below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, and live within NCHM’s service area of western Cuyahoga and eastern Lorain counties. Those wishing to register and schedule an appointment should call 216-228-7878.

About North Coast Health Ministry

North Coast Health Ministry is a faith-based free clinic serving the low-income uninsured on Greater Cleveland’s West Side for the past 25 years. With the support of approximately 150 volunteer physicians, nurses and other caregivers, NCHM is able to provide primary health care, specialty referrals, prescription assistance, and health education to the medically under served. Founded in 1986, North Coast Health Ministry is a bridge to better health for our medically underserved neighbors in need.