The Health Fair returns to Tech April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in both gymnasiums of the Fitness Center. “We are hoping with the new extended hours that more people will be able to fit it into their schedules,” Ramona Mahood-Pennington, health promotions coordinator, said. “This is a great opportunity to come and learn about health.”
The health fair is welcoming back old booths from last year as well as new ones. Alumni are setting up booths at the health fair to give back to Tech. One in particular is Robinson Dental, who will be addressing dental health care. Convenient Care will be doing oxygen saturation. Chiroworks will be doing spinal screenings for those who participate in the health fair.
Satellite Medical Center will be informing people to eat this and not that. This will help everyday eating habits and slowly one may begin to see a difference in the way their clothes fit and how much healthier they feel.
The Health Department will be giving out information on STDs, how to prevent them and what to do if a person ends up having one.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center will be back this year to give participants the opportunity to have medical screenings. Some of the screenings do involve some cost, but they are cheaper at the health fair than going to the hospital or a personal doctor.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center is giving free lipid profiles to Tech students. A lipid profile is to inform students their cholesterol level. For nonstudents the cost is $10. Do not eat 12 hours before this test; it is required for accurate results.
Other screenings include: bone density testing, this is especially good for women since history shows more bone deterioration in women.
Vascular screenings like those offered at the Health Fair have been known to save lives. This screening utilizes ultrasound technology to assess risk for stroke, abdominal aneurysm, and peripheral artery disease. There are three different tests that can be done all together or separately. All three tests done together make this screening worth over $500, but it only cost $125 at the health fair. Do not eat two hours before these tests.
“You’re not too young to do this, if it’s in your genes, you are definitely not too young to get this done,” said Mahood-Pennington. “This could increase your life span.”
There are other screenings that will be available starting at $10- $125 each. Please make an appointment to have a screening. Appointments are available on April 13 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Call the health promotion office at 931-372-6511.
“When you go to a doctor sometimes you never see your results on paper,” said Mahood-Pennington. “The great thing about getting your screenings here is you get the results back and there in your hands.”
The medical booths at the health fair will not be the only booths available. The Tech community is setting up booths. The School of Nursing will have seniors coming out to take participants’ blood pressure, the Counseling Center will be bringing awareness about alcohol, and ROTC has a fit test.
For more information about the 2010 Health Fair contact Health Promotions at 931-372-6511.
