Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

One third of farm families, the unemployed, and those employed part-time have no health insurance. To help these individuals, local organizations, with the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, sponsor the Community Health Fair to provide annual preventative health screenings. This years' event included 35 educational exhibits. 15 medical screenings and 7 physicians available for consultation. Of 485 registered participants, 401 had blood tests and 14 other screenings valued at over $1,200 per person. In the ten year history of the project cholesterol levels have decreased from 71% had elevated levels in 199 to 45% in 2011. Over the years individuals have credited the health fair with saving their life. Without this program many would not see a physician or participate in screenings.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Harrison county, please click the link.