RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about HIV rapid tests, radon tests, men’s health, WIC, school physicals, and sun safety. Health experts in Henry and Stark counties are urging residents to take advantage of a variety of preventative health initiatives this summer. Free rapid HIV testing will be available on June 27 at clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon, coinciding with National HIV Testing Day. Affordable radon home test kits are also on offer, raising awareness about this invisible lung cancer risk. For families, the WIC program now provides a streamlined EBT card for nutritional support. Men can access discounted lab screenings through June, and school physicals for students are being scheduled now. Details and appointments are available at henrystarkhealth.com.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare Clinics, recognize June 27th as National HIV Testing Day. This year’s theme, “Level up your self-love: check your status,” encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being by knowing their HIV status. Free rapid HIV testing—no appointment necessary—will be offered at clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon on June 27th. Staff will also provide screening for other STIs, including syphilis, which remains a concern amid a national epidemic. Early detection is key, as experts stress that about 13 percent of those with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their status.
The First Choice Healthcare Clinics are providing confidential HIV and STI testing and counseling services across three locations: Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. In addition to testing, these clinics offer educational materials and prevention services for the community. Anyone seeking private assistance or guidance can contact Kewanee at 309-852-5272, Colona at 309-792-4011, or Toulon at 309-852-3115. These clinics aim to promote sexual health and wellness in the region, ensuring access to vital resources and information for individuals who need support and education regarding HIV, STIs, and prevention strategies.
As summer begins and more residents head outdoors, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, are urging everyone to take sun safety seriously. Director RaeAnn Tucker highlights that skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the U.S., with over a million cases each year, and one American dying every hour from melanoma. Children are especially at risk, as early sun exposure can double their risk of skin cancer later in life. To prevent sun damage, experts recommend seeking shade during peak hours, wearing protective clothing, hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses, and applying high-SPF sunscreen regularly. Avoid tanning beds and keep infants out of direct sunlight. The core message: enjoying the sun responsibly can save lives.
June marks National Safety Month, and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are highlighting the risk posed by radon gas in local homes. Radon is a major cause of lung cancer, especially for nonsmokers, and often goes undetected because it’s odorless and invisible. Health officials report that 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% in Stark County have detectable radon levels. Residents can purchase Radon Home Test Kits for $15 at Health Department offices in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. For more details or advice on mitigation, visit henrystarkhealth.com or contact your local Health Department office.
The Health Department staff notes, “Many people don’t even know that radon gas is such a health threat. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels in the home. Radon gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test for it. Breathing radon can increase one’s risk of lung cancer. If you are a smoker, your risk is even more heightened.”
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is undetectable without a test and can pose serious health risks if left unchecked in your home. The only way to determine if levels are unsafe is with a simple test. If your test reveals concentrations above the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter, the Health Department offers guidance on next steps, including mitigation solutions. Affordable $15 radon home test kits are available through local offices in For more information, call our location nearest you: Kewanee (309) 852-0197, Colona (309) 792-4011, and Toulon (309) 852-3115. For further details, visit the Health Department’s website or connect on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Your family’s safety starts with awareness.
The Henry & Stark County Health Department, alongside First Choice Healthcare’s WIC program, is enhancing services for families in Henry, Stark, Marshall, and Putnam Counties. In-person appointments have fully resumed, with the convenience of an online application still available. A new Illinois WIC EBT Card streamlines grocery shopping for participants, replacing multiple checks with a single card reloaded every three months. Expanded WIC hours now better accommodate busy families. The program offers nutritional support, supplemental foods, and education for eligible pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and children up to age five. More details are available at henrystarkhealth.com.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services Supervisor with the Health Department, states, “Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “Face to Face” appointments and services delivery. We do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program. We are thrilled to once again have the chance to offer these important and vital family services directly to our participants. In addition, we remind those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, that the New Illinois WIC EBT Card is available to all WIC participants! This makes WIC Services even more easy for area families to use.”
Aldred adds, “All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT Card with all the food benefits on this one card; no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with our WIC Staff.”
Aldred adds, “We are so excited about this new WIC EBT Card, sometimes referred to as eWIC. Participants now have the ease of taking their shopping list to the store and then buying the food they need when they need them.”
For more information on the department’s WIC and case management services, call the department at (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or 792-4011 (Colona), or visit our website to apply at www.henrystarkhealth.com./WIC. For more information, you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic.
As summer vacation begins for local schools, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics are now scheduling physical exams for school and sports. Physicals are offered at Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon clinic locations for $40 cash, with insurance also accepted—just remember to bring your insurance details. These exams cover junior high, high school, and students entering kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grades. Parents are urged to have physical forms completed ahead of time and to book appointments early to cut down on wait times. Immunizations and additional screenings are also available. More details at henrystarkhealth.com.
For more information, call our Toulon First Choice Healthcare Clinic at 309-852-3115, Kewanee at 309-852-5272, or Colona at 309-792-4011, or stop by any location, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM daily.
RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about what’s happening at the health departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, in partnership with First Choice Healthcare Clinics, are spotlighting men’s preventative health through June with discounted lab screenings for area men. Special rates are available for general health tests and prostate and colon cancer screenings; tests are offered on a cash basis, with some requiring fasting. The clinics also provide primary care, walk-in, mental health, and community health services, further expanding local healthcare access. In addition, free insurance assistance will be available at the Henry County Fairgrounds on June 18th and 20th. For appointments or information, visit henrystarkhealth.com or call your local clinic.