(Santa Ana) - A Health Care Agency program that has provided health assessments and health education to over 4,700 Orange County adults in the past year has a new name reflecting its growing mission.

Preventive Health Care for Adults (PHCA) is the new name for the program once known as Preventive Health Care for the Aging. The new name was selected to be more representative of the expanded target population – adults 50 years of age and older, including “Baby Boomers.”

PHCA is funded by the County of Orange and the California Department of Public Health and is part of a statewide network of programs providing services to low income and ethnic minority seniors who have limited access to health care. The Orange County PHCA program began operations in 1976 and has assisted thousands of local residents in need of health care services. “Over the past 30 years, PHCA has provided free health assessments, screenings, health education, counseling, and referral to other services by public health nurses,” said Judy Ogan, PHCA Coordinator. “These free services can lead to the early detection of risk factors that contribute to chronic disease and help to link participants with service providers and community resources. Providing this type of support helps participants change their habits and behaviors so they may live healthier, more fulfilling lives and avoid the costs associated with chronic diseases.”

In the past year, over 60 percent of PHCA clients in Orange County received referrals for other needed services. Of those referred for a potential medical problem, about 90 percent of the referrals resulted in a new diagnosis or treatment, Ogan said.

For more information about the Orange County Preventive Health Care for Adults program or to make an appointment for PHCA services, please call (714) 972-3745.

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