Sexually Transmitted Infection Alert: FQHCs and Partners Help Spread Awareness

WHO: Ocean Health Initiatives, (OHI), the New Jersey Primary Care Association, (NJPCA), the New Jersey Department of Health, and LabCorp will hold a press conference tomorrow to highlight Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month.  A patient advocate who was diagnosed with an STI will also be present to share her experience. Representatives from UnitedHealthcare, Amerigroup NJ, WellCare, the New Jersey Family Planning League, Planned Parenthood, and Ocean County Freeholders will also be in attendance.

WHAT: April is STI Awareness Month and the New Jersey Primary Care Association is launching a statewide effort to distribute materials on the importance of testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea.  Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), such as OHI, are participating by distributing materials and continuing their ongoing commitment to test and treat patients.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 24^th at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: OHI’s Lakewood Health Center, 101 Second St., Lakewood, NJ on the third floor.

WHY: In 2016, as reported by the New Jersey Department of Health, there were over 41,000 confirmed cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the State.  To help bring attention to the importance of testing for FQHC patients, NJPCA developed a campaign to relay this information through visible print materials and social media.

The press conference will alert the public to the importance of STI testing and that if left undetected and untreated, STIs can cause serious health consequences.  To learn more about the STI Awareness Month and how to schedule an appointment, please call OHI at (732) 363-6655.

If members of the press are interested in attending the press conference, please RSVP to Douglas Clark, Marketing Manager, at (732) 719-9026.  For any additional questions, please contact Douglas Clark or Toni Granato.

About Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI):  OHI, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC), has six health centers, a Mobile Medical Unit, and two school-based wellness programs in Ocean County.  OHI health centers are at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Manchester, 686 Route 70, Lakehurst; 798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor; and 1608 Route 88, Suite 207,Brick.  The school-based wellness programs in Lakewood are in the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue; and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A. The Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor and Manchester health centers have pharmacies.

OHI provides comprehensive primary and preventative health and dental care to Ocean County’s uninsured, underinsured and insured populations.  A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay.  Services include family and internal medicine, dental, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health and social services, podiatry and pharmacy services.

OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers.  To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.

About NJPCA: The New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) is an advocate for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), as well as a provider of comprehensive education, training, and technical assistance to health centers in New Jersey.  NJPCA currently represents 24 health centers, one of which is a look-alike.  These centers and their 134 satellite sites provide healthcare services to over 500,000 people in New Jersey.  For more information about NJPCA, please visit njpca.org.

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are in every state across the nation.  FQHCs are authorized under Section 330(A) of the Public Health Services Act to provide healthcare to the medically underserved.  Many health centers and their sites are specially designated to serve the needs of special populations including homeless populations, public housing residents, migrant and seasonal farm workers, veterans and school-aged children.  For more information about the HRSA Health Center Program, please visit bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.

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