A Sparks-based manufacturer of
health-screening equipment is part of
an initiative in Mississippi to improve
the health care of people who don't
have sufficient health insurance.
Computer Screening Inc. health
stations have been placed in five locations
including several grocery
stores around Hinds County, Miss.
The company in 1978 began making
blood-pressure monitors that consumers
could use themselves during
visits to retailers.
Since 2000, it's made a monitor
called HealthNet that provides information
about blood pressure, heart
rate, evaluation of weight, fitness and
health risks and health-education
information.
Here's how Mississippi health officials
will use the system made
in Sparks:
Four hospitals in Hinds County
Jackson is the county's big city
are helping to identify county residents
who don't have adequate health
insurance. So far, about 1,000 people
have enrolled, and county officials
expect that 2,500 will participate by
the end of the year.
They're directed to one of the CSI
health stations and encouraged to use
the station regular to monitor their
health. Mississippi officials hope that
participants then will
manage their
health care,
rather than
waiting until a
crisis arises that
requires an expensive trip
to an emergency room.
Health officials, meanwhile, will
analyze group data collected through
the program. They'll be looking for
patterns of disease among groups of
people or locations.
"We expect that the CSI health
stations will provide residents with
the tools and resource information
that make prevention an easy alternative
to disease," said Dr. Aaron
Shirley, director of community health
service in the county. "At the same
time, we can examine trends and
monitor changes in health status over
time."
And the privately held CSI said the
Mississippi initiative fits closely with
its corporate philosophy.
"We believe that if people have
access to the tools and the information
they need to assess their health and
determine their health risks, individuals
will be proactive in managing their
health," said Charles Blush, the company's
founder and chief executive.
CPI goal, he said, is to help create
a society that is oriented to prevention
and wellness rather than disease
management.
The company employs about 50
people nationwide including 25 at
its headquarter and manufacturing
operation at 1395 Greg St.
CSI holds four patents for technology
and devices that comprise its
health station. Among CPI corporate
clients are Hewlett-Packard, Boeing,
and Blue Cross-Blue Shield.
