Poor eating habits can lead to all sorts of health problems, including obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Good nutritional habits are key to staying healthy. March is National Nutrition Month and Open Cities Health Center (OCHC) reminds everyone that keeping healthy can be easy.
To maintain a well-balanced diet, high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and other substances, the American Cancer Society recommends five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
OCHC can help with your nutritional needs, especially if you have a chronic disease like diabetes. The clinic has diabetes classes and support groups for clients where they can learn how to manage diet, exercise and adopt healthy ways to keep weight and chronic illness under control even when stress and life’s burdens get to be too much. The classes and support groups are open to everyone and most classes and support groups are offered in English and Hmong.
OCHC now has two locations: 409 North Dunlap Street (next to the Central Medical Building) and another at 135 Manitoba (on the corner of Rice Street and Manitoba). Patients come from both St. Paul and Minneapolis because of the clinic’s reputation for providing culturally competent care. Both clinic sites are on main bus lines so that OCHC is accessible to people throughout the Twin Cities.
OCHC offers full-service primary health care, including adult medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family planning, geriatrics and internal medicine with specialists in dermatology, general surgery, ophthalmology, and mental health. Full dental services are also available.
The clinic has a variety of courses and group meetings , including childbirth and new mom’s classes, diabetes education and support information, HIV/AIDS support, education and information, and anger management for men. OCHC is open to everyone, including individuals and families without insurance. A sliding fee scale is available for all uninsured individuals.
Hours at the Dunlap location are Monday through Thursday, 8 A.M. until 8 P.M., Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and Saturday 12 P.M. until 4 P.M. Call 651-290-9200 for an appointment. Hours at the Manitoba location are Monday and Thursday, 8 A.M. until 8 P.M. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. Call 651-489-8021 for an appointment.
