"Real Men Get Checked" Makes Health a Top Priority Father's Day Weekend

Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States and United Way Give Men the Gift of Free Health Screens

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, June 18, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States and United Way of the National Capital Area host "Real Men Get Checked," a health fair providing a full range of free health screens and counseling to encourage men to take a proactive approach to their health.  "Real Men Get Checked" takes place outside DC Armory at 2001 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003, adjacent to RFK Stadium, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Twitter hashtag #RMGC.

"Real Men Get Checked will improve the health of all who attend and save lives," reports Dr. Robert Pearl, President and CEO of the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group. "Over the past decade, we in Kaiser Permanente have drastically reduced the chances of patients dying from heart disease and cancer and now, we are thrilled to help achieve the same results for men and their families living in the nation's capital."

There are many health challenges specific to men in the D.C. metropolitan area that are prevalent, and in some cases, life-threatening.  Lack of access, cultural barriers to health education contribute to poor health conditions among underserved populations, reinforcing the critical need for "Real Men Get Checked" to help men and their families educate and empower themselves in order to better address their health care needs.

All health services at "Real Men Get Checked" will be provided free of charge and will include a host of screenings and exams for diabetes, blood pressure, HIV, glaucoma, dental health, foot health, body mass index, prostate and breast health, Hepatitis C, and much more.  The Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Vehicle—a state-of-the-art multifunctional vehicle designed to mirror a small medical center on wheels—will also be on-site free providing health services.

Kaiser Permanente is a leading advocate for the total health of the community and our goal in collaborating with United Way of the National Capital Area in hosting "Real Men Get Checked" is to promote issues vital to men's health and emphasize the importance of preventive screenings.  Support of "Real Men Get Checked" is part of Kaiser Permanente's larger mission to increase access to quality health care as an essential element to good health and impact the social and physical environments which play a role on health and behavior.

Real Men Get Checked Event Details
What: Real Men Get Checked (free health screening)
When: Saturday, June 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: The DC Armory (2001 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington DC 20003)

To find out more about "Real Men Get Checked," visit http://www.unitedwaynca.org/realmengetchecked/.

About Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States

Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States region, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, provides and coordinates complete health care services for almost 500,000 members through 30 medical centers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.  Founded in 1980, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States is a total health organization comprised of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., and the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, P.C., an independent medical group that features approximately 900 physicians who provide or arrange care for patients throughout the area.  Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States is considered one of Maryland's "Top HMOs," according to the Maryland Health Care Commission.  The health plan was ranked in the nation's 100 top commercial health plans and 20 top Medicare health plans – and the #1 Medicare plan for Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. – by "NCQA Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010-2011 Private."  For more information about Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States, visit www.kp.org or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/KPMidAtlantic.

About United Way of the National Capital Area

Focusing on the critical areas of Education, Income and Health, United Way of the National Capital Area and our nonprofit members not only provide immediate relief of social problems affecting our community, but also works to alleviate the underlying causes of these issues. Serving the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties for more than 35 years, we work to inspire acts of caring, deliver hope and improve lives.  For more information about United Way of the National Capital Area, visit www.unitedwaynca.org.

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States