The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services is hosting a community health event to celebrate “New Jersey Rural Health Week” on Tuesday, September 22th prior to the livestock auction at Cedar Lane Feed in Elmer. The event will offer free health screenings and a showcase of services offered by the Salem County Health Department.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Cedar Lane Feed, 21 Cedar Lane in Elmer, where a weekly auction is held in a fun and family friendly environment that is open to the general public. The auction begins after 1.
The County’s public health nurses will offer free glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, and weight screenings, along with information on our upcoming free flu clinics. The Salem County Department of Health Environmental Division will offer information on rabies prevention and other services.
“Rural Health Week is to remind us that 20 percent of the people in America live in rural areas, with less access to health care and higher rates of chronic illnesses when compared to urban populations. In Salem County, statistics show our health concerns stem from diet and obesity,” said Freeholder Director Julie Acton.
Studies show that in rural areas residents are older, poorer, have fewer physicians to care for them, and are less likely to have employer-provided health care coverage.
“In Salem County, we are fortunate to be in the metropolitan shadows, so we do have access to additional health care resources in Maryland, Delaware, and Philiadelphia,” said Freeholder Bob Vanderslice, who chairs the Health Committee. “But access and transportation remain hurdles for many.”
For more information, contact the Salem County Department of Health and Human Services at 856-935-7510 extension 8302. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us facebook.com/SalemCountyHealth.