East Morgan County Hospital 9Health Fair

BRUSH, Colo. (Feb.19, 2009) – Below 100. Under 200. One hundred twenty over 80.  Do you know what these numbers mean? You should. They are ideal levels for glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. 

Anyone 18 and older in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska can find out more than 20 key health numbers by attending the volunteer-run 9Health Fair in Brush, April 25.

“In today’s tough economic times, it has never been more important for people to really take control of their health and prevent unnecessary health emergencies,” said Jim Goddard, president and CEO of 9Health Fair.

 “9Health Fair offers over 20 free and low-cost critical health screenings and with over 170 locations for people to choose from this year, there is no better time than now to get those key health numbers.”  Approved by 9Health Fair’s Medical Advisory Committee, free health-related information from hundreds of local medical organizations is available for people to access at 9Helath Fair, as well.

The 9Health Fair will once again be at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, Mark Arndt Event Center on April 25 from 7 to 11 a.m.  Blood chemistry pre-draws are available at East Morgan County Hospital beginning on March 16-20, from 7 to 10 a.m.

Low-cost screenings available at 9Health Fair Brush site include:

• $30 Blood Chemistry screening; provides participants with a baseline check on their cholesterol, blood glucose, liver, kidneys, thyroid and more
• $25 Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening; identifies a man’s risk for prostate cancer
• $20 Colon Cancer Screening Kit; this take-home/mail-in kit checks for human blood in the stool which can lead to colon cancer. Volunteer 9Health Fair nurses and doctors will call participants with abnormal results.

Free screenings include:

•  Oral
• Finger-Stick Glucose
• Osteoporosis
• Talk with a Health Professional
• Talk with a Pharmacist
• Skin
• Breast
• Prostate/Testicular
• Foot
• Blood Pressure
• Hearing
• Height/Weight/Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Body Fat Skinfold Measurement
• Body In Balance
• Vision
• Eye Health
• Cardiac Risk Assessment
• Mental Health
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Nutrition
• Pulse Oximetry

Participants with serious health issues are notified by volunteer nurses and doctors within 72 hours of their 9Health Fair visit and encouraged to seek immediate medical attention.  Follow up resources are available for those with little or no health insurance.

People can also volunteer in a variety of medical and non-medical capacities at a 9Health fair.  Phlebotomists, Registered Nurses (RNs), Physician Assistants (PAs), Medical Doctors (MDs), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and other credentialed medical professionals are needed.  Retired medical professionals and students enrolled in a medical program can also volunteer at any 9Health Fair site, with instructor supervision.  Additional training and refresher courses are available through 9Health Fair.

“Helping people prevent health emergencies through screenings and education is what 9Health Fair is all about,” said Goddard.  “Each year, more than 19,000 people donate their time and expertise to help 90,000 9Health Fair participants get their health checked and learn the latest tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Volunteering at 9Health Fair is a great way to be part of something really special.”

Educators from health-related organizations are on hand to answer questions about a variety of health issues ranging from prescription drugs to diabetes to diet and exercise and more.

Visit 9Health Fair’s website at www.9healthfair.org for a complete list of 9Health Fair location, volunteer opportunities and available screenings.

East Morgan County Hospital is a 25 bed critical access hospital located at 2400 W. Edison St. in Brush, Colo. It is part of Banner Health, a healthcare system located in seven Western states. For more information, go to www.bannerhealth.com.