Five of Los Angeles County’s leading health systems introduced a public service campaign this week to urge people to prioritize preventive health, hoping to offset the trend of people neglecting regular health screenings and other medical visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign by Providence; UCLA Health; Keck Medicine of USC; Dignity Health; and Cedars-Sinai features 11 Angelenos—including some famous names—who overcame health challenges as a result of timely access to preventive care.
The campaign includes messages on multi-language TV and radio, billboards, buses, malls, newspapers, magazines, digital, social media and more.
The organizations believe they can achieve greater effects by working together.
“We are confident these efforts make a positive difference in community health. This collaboration of health systems is not only extraordinary, it provides critical information in meeting a challenge beyond anything any of us ever experienced,’’ said Kevin Manemann, chief executive for Providence Southern California.
Among issues driving the campaign are ongoing concerns among health care professionals who see people not seeking timely, preventive and life-saving services, health screenings and medical assistance. Such delays can result in late-stage cancers, advanced heart disease, debilitating strokes and other serious medical conditions, health officials said.
Officials said it is also critically important for children to stay on schedule for vaccinations for protection of their health and others as well, including measles and whooping cough vaccines. These highly contagious diseases could become a public health issue if not addressed.
The campaign is part of the health-care systems’ “BetterTogether.Health’’ coalition, with the theme of “Get Back to Your Doctor. Your Health. Your Joy. Because We Love a Healthy L.A.’’
