Neighborhood Health Connection™, an Allina Health program, invited to Night to Unite, National Night Out
MINNEAPOLIS 07/30/2012--A few months ago, Allina Health asked people how they could encourage healthy activities in their neighborhoods.
When neighbors gather at Night to Unite and National Night Out block parties on August 7, Allina Health staff will be performing wellness screenings all over the Twin Cities.
They will be in Plymouth, Blaine, Coon Rapids (the largest school district in Minnesota is having a party at a community teen center), and St. Paul (where 300 people are expected).
Neighbors will be checked for body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Each person will get test results and health advice within ten minutes.
"It’s a beautiful coincidence that people are taking advantage of established block parties and adding health and wellness into the traditional mix of food, music and games," said Courtney Baechler, MD, medical director of Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, a part of Allina Health.
Neighborhood Health Connection™ provides free health screenings and financial support for grass-roots healthy activities. Through a competitive application process, Allina Health selected more than 250 community-designed activities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin to receive support.
Activities are expected to take place throughout the summer. Neighborhood Health Connection™ offers a free online toolkit to help neighborhoods develop healthy activities. It is available at neighborhoodhealthconnection.org.
About Allina Health
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 11 hospitals, 15 pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services that provide hospice care, oxygen and home medical equipment, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org. # # #
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