LEWISTON — St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center has implemented Take Charge! — a community health risk screening program to identify health risks and promote healthy lifestyles of Androscoggin County residents.

At present Androscoggin County has a high rate of residents who suffer from hypertension, hyperlipidemia and heart disease. Maine Bureau of Health statistics illustrate the need for a comprehensive health screening program in the Lewiston/Auburn region.

In about 30 minutes Take Charge! provides an avenue for anyone concerned about health risk factors to receive an individually tailored health profile and a personal plan of action to prevent chronic health problems.

Utilizing a health risk appraisal, screening tools and a combination of individual counseling, group education and awareness programming, Take Charge! aims to promote good health and reduce the incidence of disease in the community.

Under the direction of Dr. Dervilla McCann, Take Charge! uses nationally recognized guidelines to educate and counsel at-risk individuals before they encounter serious medical problems.

Managed by St. Mary’s Prevention and Wellness program, Take Charge! promotes individual and community health through the identification of health risks and disease indicators.

The comprehensive health screening includes complete lipid profile, glucose measurement, pulmonary function profile, blood pressure measurement, immediate customized feedback, referral process to an appropriate physician and supportive education and health change programs.

The next community sessions are scheduled from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 8 and 22 in the Fleet Room at St. Mary’s Women’s Health Pavilion. The comprehensive screening will cost of $20 a person.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling Prevention and Wellness at 777-8898. Community groups interested in a presentation on Take Charge! can also contact Prevention and Wellness by e-mail at [email protected] for more information.