Acupuncture

The Northfield Acupuncture & Alternative Medicine Clinic will hold workshops dealing with health topics including cancer, hepatitis and cardiovascular disease at 1 p.m. Thursdays at the clinic located at 619 E. Sixth St. Topics of discussion will vary and the public is welcome. Registration is required in order to attend. Call 870-772-8622.



Birth control

Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center, 902 W. 12th St., offers complete reproductive health services (birth control) for men, women and teens including birth control methods (pills, depo shots and tubals), pregnancy testing, Pap tests, counseling, STD testing and treatment and referral for other services. Many are eligible for these services on either a free or low-cost basis. Call 903-798-3265.

Miller County Health Unit offers Family Planning Services for Miller County residents including physical exams, Pap tests and choice of birth control method (including pills, injection, patch, IUD, Nuva Ring, or Condoms/VCF). Most services are free for Arkansas residents who qualify. Prevention is the key to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. Call 870-773-2108 for an appointment with our nurse practitioner 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.



Blood pressure

Cypress Home Health provides free blood sugar and blood pressure checks to seniors from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the fourth Monday of each month at the Collins Memorial Senior Center.

TheraCare Home Health offers free blood pressure checks to all seniors at 2 p.m. every Tuesday at Cowhorn Creek Estates, 5415 Cowhorn Creek Road. Call 903-832-4663.

Homebound Healthcare will offer free blood pressure checks from 11 a.m. to noon the second Thursday of each month at the Collins Memorial Senior Center, 3000 Texas Blvd.

Texarkana HomeCare will offer free blood pressure checks from 11 a.m. to noon the third Tuesday of each month at the Collins Memorial Senior Center, 3000 Texas Blvd.

Best Care Home Health will offer free blood pressure checks from 11 a.m. to noon the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Collins Memorial Senior Center located at 3000 Texas Blvd.



Breast care

Arkansas Breast Care Program provides free mammograms, free clinical breast exams, free pelvic exams and Pap tests to women who are Arkansas residents, age 40 and over and meet the income eligibility requirements. Call 1-877-670-CARE for qualification verification or 870-773-2108.



Diabetic cooking class

The Texarkana Regional Center on Aging and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service will present a diabetic workshop at 10 a.m. May 28 at the Cossatot Community College room 104, 1411 North Constitution Ave. Ashdown, Ark. Participants can discover the proper cooking strategies and food exchanges for the diabetic and their loved ones. For more information call 870-898-7224.

The Texarkana Regional Center on Aging and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service will present a diabetic workshop at 10 a.m. May 29 at the First Presbyterian Church, 516 Pecan, Texarkana, Ark. Participants can discover the proper cooking strategies and food exchanges for the diabetic and their loved ones. For more information call 870-779-6042.



Medicare

There will be Medicare information sessions at 1 p.m. today and May 7 at the Quality Inn, 5210 North State Line Ave. The sessions take place in conjunction with a Farmer’s Market. The events will include free produce selections, tips on proper nutrition and fitness as well as important information on Care Improvement Plus Medicare Special Needs Plan, which is designed to help those with diabetes, heart failure and other chronic illnesses better manage their health. RSVP by calling 866-683-2056.



Prescription assistance

The First Presbyterian Church offers a Prescription Assistance Program, which helps people determine if they qualify to receive free or low-cost prescription drugs from participating pharmaceutical companies. If eligible, PAP will assist the client with the necessary paperwork and information. The assistance is available from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at the church annex building on 507 Hickory, Texarkana, Ark. People need to bring proof of income and a list of medications along with their prescriptions. The program will be closed on weeks where there are holidays. For more information call 870-330-4788.



The deadline for having information included in Health Beat is 5 p.m. each Monday. Please address health-related topics to the city desk either by fax at 794-3315 or by mail to Ashley Gardner, P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, Texas, 75504.