FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 19, 2004
Contact: Svetlana Ganea
(662) 329-7119 MUW to raise awareness through
annual health fair
COLUMBUS, Miss.—In an effort to promote health awareness on campus and in
the community, Mississippi University for Women will host its annual
health fair on Wednesday, March 3 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Hogarth
Banquet Room.
The event is sponsored by the graduate program in health education of
the Division of Health and Kinesiology.
According to Dr. Joyce Yates, associate professor of health and
kinesiology and coordinator of graduate studies in health education, the
objective of the program is to educate, motivate and make people aware
of the health concerns of today.
“We want participants to see how changing simple lifestyle habits can
make a difference for their well-being.”
Participants of the fair will have the opportunity to go through a
process of various health screenings such as blood pressure, blood
sugar, stroke and body mass index. Participants will be able to obtain
bone density and undergo a glaucoma screening and hearing test. The
screening procedures are free-of-charge, except for the cholesterol
testing, which will cost $8. Those interested in having their blood
sugar and cholesterol levels tested should fast after midnight prior to
the fair. Representatives of MUW’s Division of Nursing, North
Mississippi Medical Center and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle
will perform the screenings.
“The main purpose of this event is to enable the campus and the
community to come to the fair and obtain information on all types of
health concerns, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s.
Last year we had more than 600 participants. This year we are expecting
more than a 1,000,” Yates said.
Participants in the fair also can take part in a series of fitness
testing procedures that will determine one’s body composition,
flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, hip/waist ratio
measurements. These services will be provided by a vast group of local
volunteer organizations, associations, government organizations, as well
as state and national associations such as the Mississippi Diabetes
Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation of Mississippi, the American Cancer
Society and the American Heart Association.
According to the Mississippi Chronic Illness Coalition, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, cancer and arthritis are among the most serious
illnesses that have a high occurrence in the state of Mississippi.
more
“This in turn provides a perfect needs assessment of why a health fair
is crucial for our community,” Yates said.
On the day of the event, the Division of Health and Kinesiology will
launch its updated website
www.committobefit.org that contains new health information and
incentives to keep track of the overall health and fitness progress.
Those who wish to have their screening results saved will be able to
monitor their progress through the web site and qualify for the chance
to be selected to the Commit To Be Fit All Stars team. The screening
results from this year’s health fair will be compared to the next year’s
fair and selection will be made accordingly.
“This is another way to offer the public a program where they can make
lifestyle changes and better their quality of life,” Yates said.
Aside from screenings and tests, the young participants will benefit
from the teddy bear clinic for children. MUW nursing students will
introduce them to first-aid procedures.
The event will feature a variety of door prizes throughout the day.
For more information, contact Dr. Yates at (662) 241-7669 or (662)
329-7225 or email
jyates@muw.edu.
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