RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss Blood Pressure Awareness Month, Osteoporosis Awareness Month, No Tobacco Day, school and sports physicals, and insurance navigators. With summer underway, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments remind families that school and sports physicals are available all season at Kewanee and Toulon clinics. Students entering kindergarten, preschool, sixth grade, freshman year, and all junior or senior high athletes can schedule exams, with insurance accepted and physicals priced at $50. Parents should bring completed forms for a fast visit. May marks National Osteoporosis Month, highlighting the need for bone health checks. Free blood pressure kiosks are available at clinics in Kewanee, Toulon, and Colona for easy monitoring.

Sports and school physicals available in Kewanee and Toulon

As summer gets underway, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics remind families that August—and school—arrive quickly. Sports and school physical exams are available all summer at both the Kewanee and Toulon clinic locations. Physicals are $50 cash, and insurance is accepted with proper information. Appointments can be scheduled for students starting kindergarten, preschool, sixth grade, freshman year, and for all junior and senior high athletes. Parents are encouraged to bring completed physical forms to streamline the process.

As students prepare to head back to school this fall, parents are urged to ensure their children’s immunizations are up-to-date. Required vaccines, TB checks, blood lead screenings, and other lab tests are available through First Choice Healthcare Clinics, with charges applying for certain services. To check eligibility, costs, and vaccine availability, please contact your clinic directly.

Additionally, certified birth certificates for children born in Henry County since 1971 can be obtained at the Health Department office in Kewanee. The first copy costs $13, with additional copies at $6 each. More details can be found at www.henrystarkhealth.com.

May 31st is No Tobacco Day

May 31st is recognized as No Tobacco Day by the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, highlighting the dangers tobacco poses to heart health, the leading cause of death worldwide. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and vascular disease. Through the Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities Grant, local staff promote awareness and enforce the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. This law bans all forms of smoking, including e-cigarettes and vapes, in public places and workplaces, including restaurants, schools, offices, and retail stores. Business owners must keep entrances smoke-free, post “No Smoking” signs, and remove ashtrays within 15 feet of entrances. Violations can lead to fines. For signage or resources, contact 309-852-0197 Extension 249 or visit smoke-free.illinois.gov.

May is National Osteoporosis Month

Each year, two million Americans suffer bone fractures tied to osteoporosis, a condition that often goes undiagnosed until a break occurs. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, alongside First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Toulon, are recognizing National Osteoporosis Month in May by joining the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s “Break Free from Osteoporosis” campaign.

Osteoporosis is a serious bone disease affecting about 9 million Americans, with another 43 million at increased risk due to low bone density. This puts nearly 60% of adults aged 50 and older at risk for bone fractures. For women, the likelihood of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis surpasses the combined risk of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer. There’s no cure, but prevention is possible. Experts recommend daily calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol, and discussing bone health with your doctor.

Whether you’re seeking routine screenings, consultations, or specialized care, help is just a phone call away. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact the Kewanee clinic at 309-852-5272 or the Toulon location at 309-852-3115.

Check your blood pressure at kiosks at Health Department Locations in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon

The Henry & Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, are highlighting National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month. Residents are invited to use the free automated blood pressure monitors available at the Kewanee and Toulon Clinics and the Colona Office, courtesy of an American Heart Association grant. Regular monitoring is crucial since high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Visitors can quickly check their blood pressure during clinic hours and receive a printed record. Additionally, a new blood pressure monitor loaner program is now available, offering various monitor sizes for home tracking.

Residents can get more details or services by contacting any of the following locations during weekday business hours. The Kewanee office, located at 110 N. Burr Blvd., can be reached at 309-852-5272. For Toulon, visit 120 E. Court St. or call 309-852-3115. The Colona branch is open at 103 1st St.; phone 309-792-4011. All locations are staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 4 PM. Drop by or call to speak directly with local representatives and access assistance or information.

Health Insurance Navigators in Kewanee and Colona in May

Health Insurance Navigators from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments will be on hand at local events to guide residents seeking health insurance coverage. Visit Say Less at 785 Tenney Street, Kewanee, on Tuesday, May 26th, from 1 to 3 PM, or A Pretty Pet Parlor at 530 Green Park Avenue in Colona on Friday, May 29, also from 1 to 3 PM. Navigators will help with finding and comparing affordable health plans, submitting applications, and determining eligibility for financial assistance or Medicaid. Special Enrollment Periods are available for those experiencing life changes such as losing job-based coverage or moving. For details, call 309-852-5272.

Say Less, 785 Tenney St., Kewanee, IL
Tuesday, May 26th
1:00 pm-3:00 pm

A Pretty Pet Parlor, 530 Green Park Ave., Colona, IL
Friday, May 29th
1:00 pm-3:00 pm