NextStop Blog

You’ll have access to free mobile health screening services at seven Metro Transit Center locations in St. Louis City and St. Louis County starting May 7.

The Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers Mobile Health Screening Van, which made monthly visits to four Transit Centers last year, will provide free blood pressure screenings and other basic health assessments to transit riders and residents through October 25.

The mobile screening van will visit each of the seven designated Metro Transit Centers on Tuesdays and Fridays once a month between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. beginning May 7.

“Our goal is to educate, support and increase awareness of quality health care and social services,” said Vickie Wade, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services with Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers. “This program strengthens the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers’ ability to offer care to residents of the St. Louis community who are medically uninsured.”

Mobile Health Screening Van Schedule:
May 7, 2019 – October 25, 2019

Tuesdays:

1. First Tuesday of the month:  Grand MetroLink Station (3560 Scott Avenue)
2. Second Tuesday of the month:  UMSL South Metro Transit Center (7790 Natural Bridge Road)
3. Third Tuesday of the month:  Riverview Transit Center (9000 Riverview Drive)
4. Fourth Tuesday of the month:  North County Transit Center (3140 Pershall Road)

Fridays:

1. First Friday of the month:  Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center (250 DeBaliviere Avenue)
2. Second Friday of the month:  Wellston Transit Center (6420 Plymouth Avenue)
3. Third Friday of the month:  Civic Center Transit Center (401 South 14^th Street)

The mobile health van services are free, with no insurance, payment or copay required. Adults 18 years of age and older can stop by the van during operating hours with no appointment necessary. In addition to providing blood pressure screenings and other health needs assessments at no charge, adults will also be provided with assistance in applying for health insurance and options for follow-up care at area community health centers.

“The Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers program creates an important bridge for our transit riders and local residents who need better access to health care resources,” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Executive Director of Metro Transit. “Our goal is more than providing access to health care assessments. We want to help people establish connections to regular, affordable and sustainable long-term health care resources.”

Research shows there are areas of the St. Louis region with populations who have lower access to health care resources and experience greater barriers associated with cost of care. This not only has a negative effect on their health, but it also leads to more emergency room visits, more hospital admissions for preventable conditions, and overall higher health care costs.

“These types of programs and partnerships are opportunities for us to repurpose Metro Transit assets to support ridership growth and create a stronger transit experience,” said John Langa, Vice President of Economic Development for Bi-State Development. “Our region has made a substantial investment in its transit system, and we are always looking for ways to maximize the benefits it delivers to the community.”