According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in America and in Louisiana. Louisiana ranks 46th in death due to heart disease and stroke, according to the 2016 Louisiana Department of Health Report Card. In Jefferson Parish, it ranks second, only to cancer. One person dies every 37 seconds from heart disease.

The CDC also notes that 2 in 10 deaths occur in people under 65 years old. The top three risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking. In addition, conditions such as diabetes, obesity, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity all contribute to the probability of heart disease or heart attacks. However, there are steps you can take to lower your risk and prevent heart disease.

Call for a check-up today, 504.309.3263 or 504.509.4800.

March is Colon and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

“Colon Cancer is Preventable”
Although colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in America, according to the CDC, it is also preventable, if detected early. However, 1 in 3 adults who should be screened (ages 50 – 75) are not doing so. While there are several tests available for colon cancer screening, you can start with a simple take-home test called the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Call PHC at 504.309.3262 (Marrero) or 504.509.4800 (Gretna) for your FIT take-home screening test today.(Marrero) or 504.509.4800 (Gretna).

Saturday, March 13th  Noon- 3 p.m. Pop-Up and Empower Women & Girls
(Ages 13 and older)  Please join Priority Health in recognizing National
 Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. PHC is sponsoring an informal HIV/AIDS awareness and sexual health education "parking lot forum"  on the parking lot of its Gretna location, 12A Westbank Expressway. 

Pop-Up & Empower will include free refreshments, snowballs, prizes, swag bags, music provided by Definition DJ Big "E" , and loads of fun. And on the serious side, our Community Outreach staff along with other experts will provide critical information on sexual health awareness, disease prevention, protection, and medical care for women and girls about HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). (Fact Sheet: Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness)

Our Mobile Unit staff will be on premise to distribute free take-home HIV test kits. You will get a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card just for calling in your test results by 2 p.m. on Monday, March 15th. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m.

We hope you'll pop-up and get empowered with us on March 13th. Click here for flyer. Look for more information on our website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

March 22nd is American Diabetes Alert Day

According to the CDC, 84 million people 18 or older have pre-diabetes and 90-95% of diagnosed cases are Type 2 Diabetes.  Louisiana ranks 45th in the percentage of adults with diabetes and 50th in the number of obese adults (La. Dept. of Health 2016 Report Card). Obesity is a significant contributor to Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes can be a debilitating it’s preventable!

With a healthy diet, exercise, and a healthy weight you can prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes. Take the risk test now. If you already have a diagnosis of Type 2 you can still ward off complications by joining a lifestyle change program or visiting your PHC primary care doctor to help management of your diabetes. Call for a free glucose screening today at 504.309.3262 (Marrero) or 504.509.4800 (Gretna).