The Sarasota County Health Department’s 40 foot mobile medical unit, Health In Motion’s will visit 15 locations throughout north Sarasota, Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, Englewood and North Port during January.

The sites that Health In Motion staff visit each month were selected in an effort to bring basic health services to more residents with Medicaid, without health insurance or who do not have transportation,” said the program’s coordinator Tim Thompson, RN. The services offered include blood pressure, and diabetes education and screening, HIV testing, pregnancy testing, tuberculosis skin testing, adult immunizations, health education, and eligibility screening as part of assisting people in locating a permanent health care provider. Senior Friendship Center volunteer physicians provide basic medical care when the mobile unit visits the Salvation Army. No appointment is needed. A registered nurse is available at all other Health In Motion locations.

Some services are free including the rapid OraQuick HIV testing method which provides preliminary test results in 20 minutes. Other services will be offered on a sliding fee scale based on income. Community AIDS Network (CAN) and Coastal Behavioral Healthcare also provide specialized services.

Health In Motion is supported in part by a two-year grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice which funds the staffing and medical equipment needs.

Those who would like a schedule of dates, routes and services can call the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000. To submit a request for Health In Motion to be part of a major community event or to download a copy of the monthly calendar, visit the Sarasota County Health and Human Services Web site, www.sarasotahealth.org.