UConn Health, in collaboration with My People Community Services, CT Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the Urban League of Greater Hartford, and Trinity Health Of New England hosted a successful “Men’s Health is Community Health” free health screening event in Hartford on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The event provided various health screenings to over 100 local men, including blood glucose, blood pressure, prostate cancer, Sickle Cell Anemia, and oral health.

This first in a series of three events, took place at the Connecticut Institute for Primary Care Innovation (CIPCI) on the Saint Francis Hospital campus. Additional men’s health events are scheduled for March 25, 2023, at the East Hartford Community Center and April 15, 2023, at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield.

These screenings were performed by UConn School of Medicine residents who practice at Saint Francis Hospital and other UConn Health interprofessional students and trainees. In addition to screenings, attendees were invited to attend 10-minute seminars presented by Saint Francis physicians. During the seminar, 200 free lunches were provided, sponsored by Aetna.

There were also with informational tables from local organizations, with door prizes and additional giveaways.

“This heartwarming community event focused on the critical importance of keeping our men healthy here in Hartford,” says Janel Simpson, chief administrative officer for UConn Health. “It’s fitting that the event was at the start of February’s American Heart Month. We are so proud of our volunteering UConn Health medical and dental students, Urban Service Track nursing, pharmacy and physician assistant students, and physician preceptors performing the vital health screenings.”

“We are delighted to partner with My People Clinical Services and Trinity Health Of New England to bring screenings and health education to Hartford and the surrounding communities through this partnership,” said Anton Alerte, M.D., Associate Dean for Primary Care at UConn School of Medicine. “As future leaders and members of healthcare teams, our Urban Health/AHEC Scholars are passionate about learning with and from the community members we serve.”

“Service is a critical component of the Urban Service Track program and dependent upon relationships with community, healthcare, and faith-based partners,” said Petra Clark-Dufner, Director of CT AHEC based at UConn Health. “We are excited to add My People Clinical Services as a partner to support efforts by CT AHEC/UConn Health to provide preventative and primary care initiatives to the communities we serve.”