Health Plan Partners with Local Churches to Promote Healthy Lifestyles in the Mid-South
This fall, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will introduce a series of community health fairs throughout Shelby County. The free Healthy Church Fairs will be held at various churches from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays beginning Sept. 6 and concluding on Nov. 8, 2014.
“Memphis and Shelby County have ranked in the bottom 10 percent of most recent polls and studies for overall health, nutrition, exercise, healthy living and life-altering disease management and prevention,” said Rafielle Freeman, director of quality improvement for BlueCare Tennessee, BlueCross’ Medicaid subsidiary. “These fairs are aimed to target some of the major health issues we see in this community and promote healthier lifestyles.”
The fairs will include health screenings, educational classes on chronic illness, group exercise sessions including Zumba, healthy cooking demonstrations, health vendors and giveaways.
Screenings offered will include mammograms, eye exams, and cholesterol and blood pressure checks, among others. There will also be activities for children.
The health fairs are free and open to the public:
Sept. 6, 2014: Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (70 N. Bellevue Blvd. 38104)
Sept. 20, 2014: New Direction Christian Church (6120 Winchester Rd. 38115)
Sept. 27, 2014: First Baptist Church- Broad (2835 Broad Ave. 38112)
Oct. 4, 2014: Konoinia Baptist Church (4340 Millbranch Rd. 38116)
Oct. 11, 2014: New Hope Baptist Church of Memphis (2356 Elvis Presley Blvd. 38106)
Oct. 18, 2014: Breath of Life Christian Church (3795 Frayser-Raleigh Rd. 38128)
Oct. 25, 2014: New Life in Christ Fellowship Church (6825 E Holmes Rd, Memphis, TN 38141)
Nov. 1, 2014: St. Paul Douglas Baptist Church (1543 Brookins St. 38108)
Nov. 8, 2014: St. Andrew A.M.E. Church (867 South Parkway East, 38106)
Along with BlueCross, the Health Fairs are sponsored by News Channel 3, Hallelujah 95.7 FM and BIOMechaniks. For more information, call 901.278.0881 or visit Facebook.com/BCBSTHealthyChurchFairs
About BlueCross®
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s mission is to provide its customers and communities with peace of mind through affordable solutions for health and healing, life and living. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company serves more than 3.3 million members in Tennessee and across the country. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association (BCBSA). BCBSA is an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit the company’s website at bcbst.com.