CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland’s health department is hitting the streets this summer and bringing its mobile health units to rec centers across the city.
These health centers on wheels, bought for $1.2 million with COVID-stimulus dollars in 2021, offer services like general health screenings, blood pressure checks, counseling for mothers, pregnancy tests and screenings for STIs. Going forward the mobile units will be run using the city’s general fund and staffed by health outreach specialists and nurse practitioners hired by the city.
The mobile health units will stop at one of Cleveland’s recreation centers each week, starting Tuesday, June 3.
Residents can also receive referrals for other services and can be enrolled in programs, like Moms First or Lead Safe Living.
Cleveland bought the mobile health units as a way to bridge gaps in healthcare, since many residents don’t go to see a physician regularly. With a mobile unit, the city could bring its health services directly to residents.
The first unit was rolled out early last year, while the second it still being equipped, said Richard Stewart, a spokesman for the Cleveland Department of Health. The mobile units also stop at community events and health fairs across Cleveland. People can request the unit at clevelandhealth.org.
Cleveland’s mobile health units will stop at a recreation center from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Tuesday.
June 3 – Thurgood Marshall, 8611 Hough Ave
June 10 – Michael Zone, 6301 Lorain Ave
June 17 – Frederick Douglass, 15401 Miles Ave
June 24 – Gunning Park, 1910 West Blvd
July 1 – Cudell, 1910 West Blvd
July 8 – Zelma George, 3155 MLK Jr Blvd
July 15 – Lonnie Burten, 2511 East 46th St
July 22 – Fairfax, 2335 East 82nd St
July 29 – Earle B. Turner, 11300 Miles Ave
August 12 – Estabrook, 4125 Fulton Rd
August 19 – Collinwood, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd
August 26 – Alexander Hamilton, 13200 Kinsman Rd
Sean McDonnell is a reporter for cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer. You can reach him at smcdonnell@cleveland.com.