Health Screenings at the Library Can Alert You to Medical Concerns

Stay on top of your health with free, convenient screenings at your neighborhood library.

October marks the start of both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Health Literacy Month. Being conscious of your health is as important as ever, and checking for health issues on a regular basis is the best way to do that. However, many people can’t afford regular screenings, while others don’t have access to them for one reason or another. Local libraries, therefore, have taken it upon themselves to host regular health screening community events. Here’s what that means for the communities they serve.

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The Importance of Regular Health Screenings

The importance of health screenings can’t be understated, and they are often responsible for saving lives. Many diseases and health issues don’t manifest in obvious ways at first, instead presenting subtle warning signs that most people won’t pick up on. By being screened for these issues regularly, community members can detect the beginnings of countless major health conditions like cancer and cardiac disease.

While these may present a significant threat if allowed to develop undetected, identifying them early on means they’re far easier to treat, with minimal risk and cost to the patient. Still, why get screened at the library? What sets your local library apart from simply paying for a screening at a dedicated medical facility?

Health Screenings at the Library Are Free

It’s no secret that health care is expensive, and health screenings are no exception. Unfortunately, this means that many Americans, especially those in lower-income areas, simply can’t afford to have them done regularly. Library health screenings are designed to combat this, providing a basic checkup at absolutely no charge. While they don’t have the same advanced resources as a dedicated medical facility, they’re great for scanning for basic issues. And if anything out of the ordinary is detected, one can simply visit their general practitioner to find out more, ensuring that they only spend the extra money if necessary.

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Libraries Teach Health Literacy

In addition to health screening programs, many libraries also teach basic health literacy. This helps community members learn basic warning signs to look out for that may indicate an issue and know when to seek help. Like the health screenings, this reduces the number of unnecessary visits to a GP while still ensuring they’re getting the care they need when they need it.

Libraries Are Easily Accessible

Best of all, libraries are convenient and easy to access, even for community members who may not have access to reliable transportation. This ensures that the ability to drive to a screening is never an obstacle and that anyone can get regular health screenings to stay in good condition.

If you want to learn more about the many services libraries provide to their communities, visit our site at EveryLibrary today!

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

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