Sunday, May 19, is a day when many in Los Angeles and surrounding cities will have an opportunity to be twice-blessed. On that day, many will go out to worship, but will also have the options of getting their physical health and mental health check-ups at the same time.
This Sunday is the day that first ladies of 35 local congregations will host free medical tests for illnesses that particularly target African Americans and Hispanics in the community.
Walgreens pharmacists and healthcare providers from HealthCare Partners, the California Department of Public Health and other organizations will perform health screenings for high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, breast cancer and other critical diseases–all free.
Program Chairperson Betty Price, former first lady of Crenshaw Christian Center of Los Angeles, believes the program is crucial.
“Positively affecting the health of our community is our most important platform,” Price said.
“Combining with first ladies from multiple churches to create a citywide health initiative has brought infinite awareness to diseases that plague our communities, and greater opportunities for illness detection and treatment.”
The First Ladies Health Initiative, which is directed and sponsored by Walgreens, began in Chicago in 2008 as an information-driven luncheon intended to educate churches about health disparities in African American communities, and elicit suggestions on how to combat the diseases. The inaugural health day was held in Chicago in 2010. The overall program was extended to Los Angeles the following year.
An estimated 18,000 individuals in Los Angeles and Chicago have undergone a combined 63,000 individual health screenings since the start of the First Ladies Health program.
In addition to the health screenings, various participating churches will offer information on mental illness, including Alzheimer’s, as well as mini-CPR training sessions with representatives from Los Angeles fire departments. Individuals who would like to have their health monitored may visit any of the participating churches, regardless of membership. Specific medical tests are determined per church. More information on the First Lady Health Day is available at www.FirstLadiesHealth.com.
2013 participating churches:
Amen LA
4550 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, 90016
Antioch Church of Long Beach
1535 Gundry Ave., Long Beach, 90813
Brookins Community AME
4831 S. Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, 90062
Calvary Baptist Church
1517 E. Alondra Blvd., Compton, 90221
Central Baptist Church
1641 E. Carson St., Carson, 90745
Christ Ambassadors Christian Fellowship
1133 E. Redondo Blvd., Inglewood, 90302
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
46 Maxwell, Irvine, 92618
City of Refuge
14527 San Pedro St., Gardena, 90248
Crenshaw Christian Center
7901 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, 90056
Do Right Christian Church
9815 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, 90044
The Experience Christian Ministries
1226 W. Compton Blvd., Compton, 90220
Faithful Central Bible Church
333 W. Florence Ave., Inglewood, 90301
Faithful Service MBC
1416 W. 37th Drive, Los Angeles, 90018
First Antioch MBC
8725 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, 90002
Good Shepherd MBC
510 W. 53rd St., Los Angeles, 90037
Greater Love Christian Fellowship
6200 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles, 90044
Greater Mt. Sinai MBC
12317 S. Wilmington Ave., Compton, 90222
House of God Apostolic Church
1740 W. 59th St., Los Angeles, 90047
Liberty Baptist Church
1500 W. 51st Place, Los Angeles, 90062
Los Angeles Community Church
10611 S. Hoover St., Los Angeles, 90044
Love Lifted Me MBC
6501 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, 90043
Maranatha Community Church
1123 E. Redondo Blvd., Inglewood, 90302
McCoy Baptist Church
802 E. 46th St., Los Angeles, 90011
Ministerios Fuente de Aqua Viva
1105 E. Redondo Blvd., Inglewood, 90302
Morning Star B.C. of Pasadena
980 Rio Grande, Pasadena, 91104
New Guiding Light MBC
2068 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, 91103
New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
402 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, 90061
Park Windsor Baptist Church
1842 W. 108th St., Los Angeles, 90047
Peoples Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church
3635 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, 90043
Redeemer MBC
1631 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007
Shield of Faith Christian Center of Pomona
1750 W. Holt Ave., Pomona, 91768
Southern Missionary Baptist Church
4678 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, 90016
True Friendship MBC
7901 S. Van Ness Ave., Inglewood, 90305
True Gospel MBC
7723 S. Hoover St., Los Angeles, 90044
Ward AME Church
1177 W. 25th St., Los Angeles, 90007
