FARMINGTON -Beginning Tuesday, April 8, the Healthy Community Coalition’s Mobile Health Unit will once again make its appearance in the parking lot at Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday.

The public is visit the unit to receive free screenings and health education on a wide range of health issues.

Sandy Richard, R.N., will also offer, free-of-charge to the public, heart healthy screenings called ScoreKeeper. The risk assessment screening and prevention program, developed by Burgess Record, M.D. and Sandy Record, R.N., helps people develop plans for improving their health.

The ScoreKeeper assessment includes a cholesterol total and HDL check (people do not have to be fasting), blood pressure check, nutrition, physical activity, stress counseling and tobacco cessation. Visitors will receive a copy of their reports and a plan to improve their health. A copy of their report also can be sent to their primary care provider.

At least one of the coalition’s health educators is available at the unit for blood pressure screenings and to provide information health topics and community resources such as: the Franklin Health Access Project, the physician referral number, the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, community walking maps and nutrition tips. This program is able to be offered free to the public because of funding from United Way of the Tri-Valley area and from the Fund for Healthy Maine.

The coalition is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the Franklin Community Health Network, serving Greater Franklin County.

With nine task forces, a mobile health unit, and a team of volunteers, health educators, community health advocates, and other professionals, the coalition’s programs and services include a weekly radio show and column, the annual Community Wellness Fair, Youth Town Meetings and the biennial Community Health Visioning.