What is it and why is it important to you? Comprehensive care means caring for the whole patient and their needs, including medical, dental, and mental health. Another phrase we use is Primary Preventative Care because when you come to the Knox County Community Health Center we offer you and your family all of these services at our various Knox County locations.

 

Why is this important?

Receiving primary preventative care or “comprehensive care” is an important part of your health. Since our centers offer medical, dental, and counseling, we become a one stop shop for your needs. Working together, our providers can help you receive the very best care and keep you healthy before a medical issue happens.

 

To encourage you to start off 2023 with your health top of mind, we are playing Bingo! Get your card, fill it in with your preventative care options, and get healthy!

 

Prevention—keeping you healthy

Preventative care features three levels of activity. All three are vitally important for managing your health risks.

Primary Prevention—these are the things we do to be as healthy as possible before a disease occurs or something happens with your health. The goal is to stay as healthy as possible.

• See doctors for physicals 
• Get needed vaccinations and immunizations
• Change behaviors (poor eating habits, tobacco use, drug and alcohol abuse, not exercising)
• Get dental cleanings twice a year 
• Stay on top of family risk factors are the first step to staying healthy
• Speak with a counselor if your mental health is suffering 

Secondary Prevention—this involves regular screenings and tests to ensure we detect any disease at the earliest stage, even before there are signs or symptoms. We do this by recommending:

• Mammograms
• Pap smears
• Prostate exams
• Newborn screenings
• Blood test for diabetes
• Blood pressure testing

Tertiary Prevention—this refers to preventing complications of diseases, as well as managing a diagnosed disease. This can involve physical therapy, medications, rehabilitation, ongoing management of symptoms, and more.

 

Getting preventive care does reduce the risk for some diseases—but you have to get your physicals, well-exams, dental check-ups, and vaccinations. The earlier a problem is found, the easier most are to treat. 

 

Some people find too many barriers may be in their way for receiving comprehensive care, but that is the beauty of the Knox County Community Health Center. We offer “healthcare for everyone!” What you may feel is a barrier, we can assure you that there is a solution we can work to find together. For example, we can provide transportation to and from appointments. Need assistance paying for services due to a high deductible? Not a problem! Let our staff know how we can make healthcare more manageable for you and we’ll do everything we can to meet your needs. 

 

All patients are accepted—men, women, and children of all ages including those who have no insurance, and under-insured or have insurance. We are your local preferred Medicaid provider as well. So, if money is a barrier, this is the place for you. If money is not a barrier, this is still the place for you - we accept all private insurance plans and private pay patients.

 

Since we have several centers around the Mount Vernon area, we know that one of our centers will be a convenient place for you to visit. While not all locations have medical/dental/counseling services on-site, we will help you locate the center that works best to coordinate care for your healthcare needs. 

 

Ready to start off the year with an annual wellness physical? Make an appointment at any of our medical locations:

 

Main Site - Knox County Community Health Center

11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon

 

Moore Family Practice

206 South Mulberry Street, Mount Vernon

 

Danville Community Health Center

12 East Main Street, Danville