Health and Fitness

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Announces Expansion Of Free Mammography Program


Nearly 1,500 More Chicago Women Will Have Access to Breast Cancer Screenings

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–November 7, 2013.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday announced a new expansion that will provide free mammography services to an approximately 1,500 additional uninsured Chicago women at Roseland Community Hospital.

“We want to do all that we can to ensure that Chicago residents have access to quality health care,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Mammography screenings lead to earlier breast cancer detection, allowing women to better fight the disease and live longer. Roseland and its surrounding communities have some of the City’s highest breast cancer mortality rates, underscoring the need to expand these lifesaving screenings in this community.” 

In addition to maintaining funding for the City’s existing mammography screening clinics, including the clinic in Roseland, this new $200,000 investment in Roseland Community Hospital to expand mammography services will allow nearly 5,000 women in total to be served through the City’s mammography program – a nearly 40 percent increase in the total number of women currently receiving services through the Chicago Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) breast health program.

“The expansion of free mammography services at Roseland Community Hospital addresses a critical need in Roseland and the surrounding communities, which have the highest rates of premature breast cancer deaths in the city. Increasing access to mammograms will save lives,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL).  “I applaud the Mayor for investing in our community and encouraging more women to get the exams, which will result in better early detection of breast cancer cases and more successful treatments.”  

“Mammography is an essential service to the health and welfare of our community members,” said State Representative Robert Rita (D-Chicago). “I applaud Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Public Health for expanding the number of mammograms for our uninsured residents. The Roseland community and surrounding neighborhoods will continue to benefit and receive the care they need for a healthy future.”

“Availability of regular mammogram testing gives mothers, sisters and daughters the ability to treat this devastating disease before it turns life threatening,” State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) said. “The Roseland Community Hospital is vital to the community. I’m glad that Mayor Emanuel is making this investment so that Roseland and area communities can have access to this necessary service.

Roseland and the neighboring communities of Beverly, Washington Heights and Auburn Gresham have the four highest rates of premature deaths due to breast cancer in the City. In 2012, CDPH provided 3,600 mammograms including 744 mammograms in the Roseland Neighborhood Health Care Center.

“Mayor Emanuel’s expansion of the free mammography program for the residents of Roseland and the surrounding community will ensure they have access to live healthy lives and detect any potential problems early,” said 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale. “The budget commitment of $200,000 will provide screenings for uninsured Chicago women in areas where it is greatly needed.”

“Expanding services on top of maintaining our current commitment will ensure we reach nearly 40 percent more uninsured community members,” said 34th Ward Alderman Carrie Austin. “Adding this program to existing services will allow the Chicago Department of Public Health breast health program to serve nearly 5,000 women, increasing the rate of detection so more women may live longer, fuller lives.”

Mammography services remain available directly through CDPH clinics. Hours and locations of the clinics can be found here.

Source: cityofchicago.org

 


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