Idaho State University Health Fair 2012 March 22-23 features more than 60 health learning centers

The Idaho State University Health Fair 2012 – celebrating its 32^nd year – is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 22-23, and will feature more than 60 learning centers on a variety of health issues and blood draws.

"We have groups from the AARP to Portneuf Weight Management Group offering health tips, information and screenings at this year's ISU Health Fair," said Steve Wright, fair organizer. “This is an excellent opportunity for the Southeast Idaho and campus communities to explore ways to improve and maintain health.”

Examples of services offered at the fair include everything from body-fat screenings and tests of grip strength, to nervous system evaluations and home health and hospice information. Other learning centers will provide blood pressure readings and hearing screening tests, to name a few. For complete information on the fair visit www.isu.edu/healthfair.

The ISU School of Nursing will have 12 learning centers at the fair, examining everything from stroke prevention and pulmonary health to bone health and foot assessment. Other ISU entities with learning centers at the fair include the Family Medicine Clinical Research Center, audiology, dental hygiene, pharmacy, occupational therapy, Idaho Life Sciences Library and physical therapy. They’ll be available for consultation on a variety of health-related topics.

The annual free Health Fair is sponsored by the ISU Division of Health Sciences and Portneuf Medical Center. It will be held in the ISU Pond Student Union Ballroom.

Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) will provide laboratory services and blood draws at the fair on March 22-23. Blood draws are also be available on a walk-in basis from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday through March 30 at the PMC lab located at 777 Hospital Way with access to the lab through the main entrance. A 14-hour fast is required prior to a blood draw for the lipid profile and general chemistry profile.

Participants who had their blood drawn on or before March 16 can pick up their blood profile results at the ISU Health Fair where health care professionals will help interpret results. If you have your blood drawn after March 16 or at the Health Fair, your results will be mailed to you.

PMC offers a general health blood profile for $35. The screening will include a chemistry profile, assessments for cardiac risk based on cholesterol levels, a complete blood count and a thyroid screen. Optional tests include a $15 confidential HIV screening and a $15 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, glycohemoglobin for $25; insulin level for $25; and vitamin D level, a test for osteoporosis, $17.   

On the day of the Health Fair during fair hours attendees can park in the Pond Student Union parking lot

For more information, contact Stephen Wright, wrigstep@isu.edu or 208-282-2325.

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