Free health screenings could help save hundreds from illness



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Doctors in Milwaukee stepped out of exam rooms and onto the streets during the "Unity in the Community" health screening event on Saturday, August 17th.

"There are blood pressure screenings. They can get their weight and BMI done. They can go over to the diabetes area and get some education," explained St. Joseph Patient Care Supervisor Ernest Colburn.

Physicians are hoping to help save hundreds from potentially deadly illnesses through the free screenings at an area park.

"If you want to live long and have a healthy life, you have to know more about your body," said Jeff Avery, who took part in the program last year after battling months of pain. "I was having migraine headaches and a lot of different problems. It helped me out a lot."

U.S. Department of Health Statistics shows men between the ages of 18 and 44 are seventy percent less likely to see a physician.

"Most people, if they don't have a doctor, they don't know where to turn. They tend to go to the ER," said Rosha Hamilton of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.

Avery hopes others in the community get the message and start regularly seeing a primary care physician before it's too late.

"I got a friend on the edge of having a stroke. He doesn't know he has high blood pressure. He won't visit a doctor, but we'll visit him in six months in a grave," said Avery.

Organizers with Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph campus were hoping to serve more than 200 people at Friday's event.