CVS Health Expands Free Screening Program To Advance Health Equity

CVS Health will cover community-based screening programs in two cities in an effort to prevent and detect chronic diseases and advance health equity.

The company calls its effort to improve access to preventive care screenings “Project Health.” Project Health services are available to anyone, with or without insurance coverage.

“We are committed to improving the trajectory of health for people across this country and providing more equitable and accessible health care services,” said Joneigh Khaldun, MD, vice president and chief health equity officer at CVS Health. 

“Project Health is providing important services in underserved communities and helping people understand their health risks and health care needs which is so critical to achieving health equity.”

While Project Health is not a new initiative, the company is moving this effort into two new urban centers: Las Vegas, Nevada and Richmond, Virginia.

In addition to CVS Health’s efforts in Nevada and Virginia, the company announced that it would be expanding its mobile units and events.

The healthcare company will add four units to its team of mobile healthcare units. CVS Health executives stressed that by expanding access to care and affordability of care for underserved communities, the organization aims to improve health equity.

“At the heart of our ongoing efforts to reduce health disparities and advance health equity is our commitment to breaking down barriers for people to access quality, affordable care,” said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at CVS Health. “Through Project Health we’re meeting people where they are with a focus on areas of significant need.”

Beyond its events that are designed for children and seniors, CVS Health will host over 1,600 screening opportunities at CVS pharmacies across the US. These events help identify, prevent, and manage a wide range of common and expensive chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.

After being tested, event attendees can connect with a nurse practitioner who will review their results and suggest follow-up treatment.

Project Health began more than 15 years ago. It has delivered almost four million biometric screenings in that time, primarily to uninsured or underinsured individuals. According to the company’s site, a quarter of Project Health participants discover that they have or are at risk for an unknown condition.

In 2022, CVS Health aims to host 72 events for senior citizens and 60 events for children to help identify and prevent chronic diseases by providing access to screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and other indicators.

Mobile health units were key to some payers’ and healthcare organizations’ approaches to improving health equity during the pandemic. In 2020, organizations like Atrium Health used mobile health units to bring access to coronavirus care and testing to underserved communities.

In 2021, CVS Health expanded its free, community-based Project Health services into 14 new markets, including Birmingham, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, and Cleveland, Ohio. The company also promised to add four new mobile units to its fleet that year and aimed to host over 1,700 screening events.