More Than 250 West Philadelphia Men, Women and Children are Expected to Attend Wellness for ...( Keystone Mer...),Health

Keystone Mercy Health Plan and Bible Way Baptist Church host day-long program to promote wellness and administer health screenings.

Philadelphia, Pa. October 27, 2009 – More than 250 West Philadelphia men, women and children are expected to attend the day-long Wellness for Life event, as part of the Health Ministry Program, hosted by Keystone Mercy Health Plan, the largest Medical Assistance managed care organization in Pennsylvania, and its partners Brown's Family Shoprite, Splenda, Chi Eta Phi, Sorority Inc., a national sorority of registered professional nurses and nursing students, and Bible Way Baptist Church.

The program will provide half-hour-long workshops, ranging in topics from breast health and nutrition to preventing abusive behavior patterns. It will also focus on healthy heart and prostate issues for men. In addition, the event will feature health screenings, including mammograms for Keystone Mercy members, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and seasonal flu shots. Activities will be available for children ages two and older and include exercise sessions and dental screenings.

The Health Ministry Program is a multifaceted, faith-based, health education and awareness program that aims to address health disparities among minorities. The program focuses on incorporating simple, preventive and positive health behaviors into everyday life in order to prevent, control and reverse chronic diseases and stress. By bringing local health care providers to churches, synagogues and mosques, the Health Ministry Program provides a safe and supportive setting in which men, women and children can learn about their health.

Since 1999, the Health Ministry Program has touched the lives of approximately 65,000 people in Pennsylvania.

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