OREANDA-NEWS. Henry Schein, Inc. the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, today announced the launch of its 2016 Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Communities (HLHC) program, which expands access to health care, prevention, and wellness for underserved communities by providing free medical and dental screenings at community events throughout the country.

Created 10 years ago in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), the HLHC program expects to serve approximately 8,700 children and their caregivers with free medical and oral health services at 14 health fairs this summer and fall. Each event is held in conjunction with a local community health center. HLHC is a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate social responsibility program.

The Company supports each HLHC event with a $5,000 in-kind donation and a $5,000 cash grant from the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization that works to expand access to care globally. Since HLHC's inception, the Company and the Foundation have provided supplies and financial assistance combined in support of nearly 95 health fairs. According to the NACHC, community health centers play a key role in the nation's health care system by providing continuous primary and preventive care, reducing the risk of new health care problems and saving the health care system $24 billion per year.

HLHC is annually co-sponsored by state and local community health organizations and supported by Henry Schein's supplier partners. At each HLHC event, local physicians, nurses, dentists, and community volunteers screen for a range of health issues—including hypertension, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and poor oral health—and associated risk factors that commonly affect children. In addition, each participant receives educational materials about ways to prevent and treat these problems, as well as assistance in finding a local community health center where they can access care regularly.

"Community health centers play a vital role throughout the country, providing excellent care to people who would otherwise go without," said Stanley M. Bergman Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "Community health centers, which promote high quality, affordable health care, closely align with Henry Schein's commitment to wellness, treatment, and disease prevention. We are pleased to join our supplier partners, Team Schein Member volunteers, and local community health center organization partners to 'help health happen' for thousands of children and their caregivers through our Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Communities program."

About the National Association of Community Health Centers

Founded in 1971, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) serves as the national health care advocacy organization for America's medically underserved and uninsured and the community health centers that serve as their health care home.

NACHC works in conjunction with state and regional primary care associations, health center controlled networks and other public and private sector organizations to expand health care access to all in need.