McLean County Health Department’s mobile unit is on the move

Posted on June 10, 2024

*The McLean County Health Department received the mobile unit in January after being awarded $265,000 in ARPA funds last year. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)*

LEXINGTON – The McLean County Health Department’s mobile unit made a stop in Lexington last week.

The goal is to help the county overcome health disparities. Megan Wilson, health promotion program manager, said the department is taking public health on the road with a focus on rural areas.

The mobile unit offered heart health education, blood pressure checks, and the a-1-c blood sugar test for diabetes. A certified nutritionist was also available for free consultations.

Wilson said health screenings help with early detection.

“For instance, the A1C that we’re doing today. A1C measures your blood glucose,” she said. “It can help determine if you’re in the pre-diabetic range or if you’re in type two diabetes or if you’re in that range. Over 96 million Americans have pre-diabetes, and 80% of them don’t even realize that they have it.”

The health department received the mobile unit in January after being awarded $265,000 in ARPA funds last year.

Marianne Manko, public affairs coordinator, said the department found access to healthcare is the number one reason why people are not getting medical care.

“So being able to get basic screenings like this is really important. But not everybody can. So, for example, people who live in the rural community, McLean County is the largest county geographically in the entire state,” said Manko. “So we have people who live on the outskirts of town in small towns like Lexington. And if they have a doctor who’s in Bloomington or Normal, it’s more than an hour round trip for them to go and to come back.”

The mobile unit previously had stops in Leroy and Chenoa. Next month the mobile unit will be in Danvers and McLean. July is also the start of the health department’s next diabetes prevention program. To have the mobile unit at your health fair or to sign-up for the diabetes prevention program, click here.

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