Contact: Pat Markley
(714) 834-7649

(Santa Ana) The Safe Healthcare Project of the Orange County Health Care Agency will launch its newest Spanish language bus shelter ad from 10-11 a.m., September 18 at Civic Center Drive and Van Ness Avenue in Santa Ana. The bus shelter is across the street from the Santa Ana Library.

Leading the kickoff will be Chairman of the Board Charles V. Smith, Health Care Agency Interim Director Julie Poulson, and members of the Safe Healthcare Coalition, formed in 1998 after the death of a child who received medical care at an illegal clinic.

In Spanish the ad exhorts readers to "prevent a family tragedy. For safe, low-cost family medical care, call 1 800 564 8448."

"We are extremely pleased to report that there have been no deaths from the use of illegal practitioners in the last year," said Smith. "We take great pride in the impact this partnership has on the lives of so many of our residents who otherwise might go without health care or who would risk seeking care with unlicensed providers."

The Safe Healthcare Project is a public health education campaign to increase community knowledge of available safe and legitimate healthcare services and the dangers of receiving healthcare and prescription medicines from unlicensed providers. The project promotes awareness through a variety of outreach activities including bus shelter ads.

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