BOSTON — In its continuing commitment to improve access to affordable health care for all Americans, CVS Health is kicking off its annual Project Health campaign at CVS Pharmacy locations in the Boston area Thursday, November 1, with free health and wellness screenings. A total of 24 Project Health events will take place locally through mid-December in multicultural communities with a large number of uninsured or underinsured Americans.

Project Health offers an array of free comprehensive health assessment screenings, including blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), glucose and total cholesterol screenings, which can help detect risk for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

“Project Health is part of CVS Health’s commitment to improving access to quality care by identifying health concerns and risk factors for participants who may not have otherwise sought preventative care,” said Dr. Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer, CVS Health. “Chronic conditions, which can often be life-threatening, can be treated very effectively when identified early at screenings such as Project Health, and can help to improve a patient’s health and well-being.”

Today, one in two Americans has at least one chronic illness with 85% of our health care dollars spent each year caring for patients with these diseases. According to a national survey by Morning Consult on behalf of CVS Health, 60% of respondents view costs as a barrier to being as healthy as they would like to be. “Preventative screenings also help to reduce costs for both the patient and the overall health care delivery system,” added Brennan.

Project Health events, which will be held on Thursday – Sunday in rotating stores across the Boston area from November 1 through December 16, are open to everyone and do not require an appointment.

Once screened, patients have access to on-site consultations with bilingual nurse practitioners or physician assistants who will analyze results and refer patients who require additional medical care and follow up to no-cost or low-cost medical facilities nearby or to their primary care physician.

Since it was established in 2006, Project Health has delivered more than $122 million in free health care services to more than 930,000 people across the country. Boston is one of 11 markets where Project Health screenings will take place through December.