27th annual ISU Health Fair set March 20-21

When the 27th annual Idaho State University Health Fair unfolds from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20-21 at the ISU Pond Student Union Ballroom it will feature at least one new wrinkle: ISU senior nursing students teaching participants how to do foot exams to promote good health.

As usual, the Health Fair will have dozens of learning centers and participants will be able to get their blood drawn. One new offering, however, will be ISU nursing students who will give two-minute foot exams as part of the education and self-care instruction at the fair. In preparation for the ISU Health Fair and in conjunction with the Southeastern District Health Department Diabetic Coalition, the senior ISU nursing students received special training to give these exams from Pocatello physician S. Jeffrey Bray, DPM.

Approximately 7 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes. An estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with nearly one-third of those individuals unaware they have the disease, according to Nancy Renn, Ph.D., fair co-coordinator, part of the disease process causes neuropathy and poor circulation. This neuropathy and poor circulation contribute to foot problems such as lack of sensation and no pain response. Sometimes this leads to tissue injury, infection, skin ulcer, and inadequate blood supply for healing a wound. Because of the risk of neuropathy and poor circulation, daily foot checks by the patient and yearly foot exams by a care provider are necessary.

For further information about the health fair contact the ISU health fair hotline at 282-3017.

This year laboratory services will be provided by Portneuf Medical Center (PMC).  Blood draws will be available at the fair and on a walk-in basis from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, through March 28 at both the East and West PMC lab locations. The PMC East lab is located at 777 Hospital Way with access to the lab through the main entrance. West Campus PMC lab draws will be at the Main Lab, 651 Memorial Drive. Access is on the ground floor (level 6 of the parking garage elevator). Parking is available in the parking garage.

PMC 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 $10 confidential HIV screening and a $12 prostate antigen test.  Other tests that will be offered this year include thyroid function screen for $15, iron level for $5, uric acid level for $5, glycohemaglobin for $20 and insulin level for $25.   

Participants who had their blood drawn on or prior to March 17 can then pick up their blood profile results at the ISU Health Fair where health-care professionals can help interpret results. The results of blood draws done at the Health Fair and at PMC through March 28 will be mailed to participants. A 14-hour fast is required prior to a blood draw for the chemistry profile.

Participants are encouraged to park at the Holt Arena parking lot for free, and then bus down to the PSUB.

For more information, contact the Health Fair Hotline at 282-3107 or call Renn, at 282-3829.