A “Health to Go” vending machine that provides free health, wellness and personal care items and connects users to community services such as food, shelter, medical care and social services has been installed in the lobby of the YMCA in Reading, Pa. Penn State’s College of Medicine partnered with the SOS Berks Opioid Coalition to purchase and install the machine.
The Penn State College of Medicine said the smart vending machines, which feature an interactive interface, are the first of their kind in Pennsylvania, and the location was chosen in part because it will be available to the public 24 hours a day.
“These vending machines will provide free health and personal care items and connect people to needed local services and resources. The information gained through this project will also help ensure people in the community get the support they need right away,” said Dr. Alice Chan, co-principal investigator and assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine in the School of Medicine.
Vending machine inventory management software allows the Penn State team to automatically capture information such as which items have been viewed and distributed, and which items need to be restocked and when. The vending machines can also collect anonymous, voluntarily provided information about users’ demographics, experiences, preferences and needs, helping them improve their service and best serve the community.
