Dateline: March 29, 2007

Annual health, wealth fair to be held next week
By MaryRuth Peacock, County FCS Agent

The health fair cometh! This year’s health fair will be on Thursday, April 12, from 10:00-2:00 p.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center.

The health fair is being sponsored this year by the Texas Cooperative Extension, Clarendon College, and Northwest HealthCare System.

A new service this year is being offered by Panhandle Community Services for transportation to and from the Health Fair. Sign up by calling 874-2573 before Thursday, April 12. The buses will pick up at 10 a.m. and at 1:00 p.m. Buses will return after two hours for the return trip home. This service is being offered free to all who call in and are in need of transportation.

A major concern in past fairs has been incorrect addresses or not receiving addresses from participants. Northwest Health Care System agrees to pay for the processing of tests for Cholesterol - LDL/HDL, and Triglycerides; but to get these results, you have to provide your mailing address. Last year over half of the testing results were either returned because of incorrect addresses or not receiving addresses from our participants. So if you don’t know your PO Box number, Route number, or zip code, please write it down before coming to the fair so the results can be sent to you. We want to continue to provide this service, but it is financially not cost effective if over half of the results are returned. Mailing addresses will be required to receive testing.

Also, we have been asked if there will be doctors on site of the health fair. The answer is no. Due to insurance policies and government rules, it is not possible to have a doctor at the health fair. The health fair is designed to help with early detection of illnesses or health problems.

Free Medical Testing will be available in the following areas: Blood Pressure, Pulse, Oxygen, Glucose /Blood Sugar, Hearing Evaluations, Balance, PSA, Carbon Monoxide Screening, Cholesterol - LDL / HDL, and Triglycerides, Weight, and Breast Screening - mammogram. (Additional services and information may be available at the fair.)

Information will also be provided on: Disasters, Health and Safety, Food Safety, Hand Washing Importance, Agency on Aging, Hospice Care, Dietary Supplements, Investments, Adolescence Substance Abuse Treatment, Tobacco Cessation and Cancer Prevention, Home Health, Medical Supplies, Diabetic Supplies, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Severe Weather, Mobility Adaptive Equipment, WIC, Water Conservation, Pre-Need Funeral Planning, RSVP, TxDOT - Safety, Mental Health Mental Retardation, Victim Services, VA Medical Services, Star Program, and Domestic Violence.

For more information about the health fair, contact the Extension Office at 874-2141.