ISU Health Fair set March 22-23

The Idaho State University Health Fair 2007 – celebrating its 27th year – is set from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 22 and 23, in the Pond Student Union Building Ballroom and Wood River rooms.

More than 60 groups will have free learning centers at the fair. A variety of drawings for scores of door prizes will be held.

For the second year, Laboratory Corporation of America (208-232-6740) will offer blood draws prior to the Health Fair, for the entire month of March, at their office in Suite 401 at 444 Hospital Way in Pocatello. Blood draws will be available on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. New this year, the blood draws will also be available during the same dates listed above to ISU faculty, students and staff in Idaho Falls at Lab Corp’s Idaho Falls Office at 290 E. 25th St.

Participants can then pick up the results of their chemistry blood profile at the ISU Health Fair where healthcare professionals can help interpret results. Blood draws will still be available at the Health Fair as well, and the results of blood draws done at the Health Fair will be mailed to participants. A 14-hour fast is required prior to a blood draw for the chemistry profile.Laboratory Corporation of America offers the blood chemistry profile for $25. The screening will include assessments for cardiac risk based on cholesterol levels, a complete blood count, and a thyroid screen. Optional tests include a $12 confidential HIV screening and a $15 prostate antigen test.

The health fair will retain its expanded format it adopted last year. Registration, blood pressure, height and weight, and blood draws will be done in the Wood River rooms in the Pond Student Union. Balloons will be strategically placed to help participants navigate through the fair. Green balloons will show the way to the ballroom where the learning centers will be located; red balloons will show the way to the lab area where blood draws and blood pressure checks will be available; and yellow balloons will show the way to information booths and help desks.The purpose of the fair is to increase participants’ knowledge about health and to encourage participants to take responsibility for their own health care. Free health screenings will be available for height and weight, blood pressure, hearing, nutrition, breast cancer, and muscle strength. Parking is available adjacent to the PSUB or participants can park at the Holt Arena and take a shuttle bus down to the PSUB.

For more information on learning centers or to volunteer, contact the ISU School of Nursing, 282-2325.