CVS plans free, community-based mental health screenings

Photo courtesy of CVS Health

CVS Health said this week it's adding mental health screenings to Project Health, the company's free, community-based health screening program. 

It will kick-start its mental health screenings in Greensboro, North Carolina and Petersburg, Virginia. Over the course of the year it will also add nearly 100 organizations to host its mobile units in under-resourced communities.

CVS Health plans to host nearly 2,000 Project Health screening events across the U.S. in 2023. The company hosts these events at CVS Pharmacy locations and community organizations, offering free biometric screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose level and body mass index to detect early risks of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

The screenings will now also offer PHQ-2 assessments – screenings to help identify people who require additional evaluation for depression. Following these screenings, participants have the opportunity to meet with a nurse practitioner who can provide referrals for treatment and advice on follow-up care.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Project Health has been around for the better part of two decades. During that time, its free screenings have focused on areas of need and populations that have been historically under-resourced, CVS said.

In 2022, 82% of people who received care at a Project Health event identified as a race other than white/Caucasian, while 68% reported a household income below $50,000, said CVS. The program hosted nearly 1,700 events nationwide last year and provided $5.5 million in free medical services.

"Our events now serve more communities than ever, tapping into our CVS Pharmacy footprint and a vast network of local organizations to host our mobile units and help ensure transportation is not a barrier to receiving health services," said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and chief sustainability officer. "We're also broadening our services to include mental health screenings as we continue to see a need for accessible mental healthcare across the country."

THE LARGER TREND

Last week, CVS Health officially completed its acquisition of Oak Street Health. The definitive agreement was announced in February, with the all-cash transaction valued at around $10.6 billion. Oak Street Health is a multi-payer, value-based primary care company focused on older adults, with a care model and technology platform it describes as scalable.

The organizations said the acquisition would benefit patients' long-term health by reducing care costs and improving outcomes, particularly for those in underserved communities. More than 50% of Oak Street Health's patients have a housing, food or isolation risk factor, they said.

In March, the company completed its $8 billion acquisition of Signify Health. Signify Health leverages advanced analytics, technology and nationwide healthcare provider networks for value-based payment programs. Its healthcare platform shifts services towards the home, an ongoing trend as baby boomers retire. People 65 and older account for close to 17% of the population, according to the U.S. Census.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com