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Berks Community Health Center to tackle smoking with free, comprehensive program

May 08, 2017 • by Berks Community Health Center
Public Health

Open to the public – program begins Thursday, May 11, 2017

Committed to improving the health of our community, Berks Community Health Center (BCHC) is pleased to announce a comprehensive Tobacco Cessation program starting Thursday, May 11, 2017 to help Berks County residents quit using tobacco.  Participants in the 8-week program will receive a broad array of support and services so that they can stop smoking or other tobacco use.  The program is open to the public.  The classes will be held on Thursday afternoons at BCHC’s 838 Penn Street location.

The program includes various, personalized levels of support.  BCHC providers will discuss treatment options and resources available to those who are ready to take the next step.  The health center’s Integrated Behavioral Health staff will provide one-on-one counseling.  Free nicotine patches are available at the Health Center and assistance will be provided to find alternative nicotine replacement therapies if needed.  Additionally, two sets of 8-week classes will be provided to help participants achieve success.  First, Tobacco Cessation classes will be provided by the Council on Chemical Abuse, Berks County’s leading authority on the subject.  Secondly, a series of stress reduction classes will be conducted concurrently to enhance the success.  Included in these classes will be yoga, hypnosis, meditation, nutrition and other distraction techniques.  The program is complete with support, education and assessments and should improve the likelihood of a successful quit.

Nicotine is the single most addictive substance in common use.  It is estimated that more than 25% of adults in the BCHC service area are smokers.  Healthy People 2020, a nationwide initiative to improve the health of our country, has established a target of 12% by the year 2020.  Berks Community Health Center is committed to providing expertise and services to help achieve that number.

Call BCHC at (610)988-4838 or BCHC Outreach at (484)772-4080 to join the program and start on your journey to quit smoking.  In addition, tremendous resources are available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit http://pa.quitlogix.org

Berks Community Health Center is a non-profit, community-directed Federally Qualified Health Center with three locations to serve the City of Reading and surrounding communities.  To fulfill its mission to improve the health of the community, BCHC offers  access to quality, affordable primary and selected specialty healthcare to all, regardless of economic status, insurance coverage or ability to pay.

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