Although Jannetta White keeps on top of her annual health checkups, the Gary retiree also wants to keep up with what’s new on various health topics. Attending the recent Spring Community Heath Fair at the Genesis Convention Center helped in that endeavor.
“I love these public events,” White said, as she looked over the list of 49 booths on board for the morning schedule. “It’s so nice that our local hospital wants to keep us informed about what’s out there and available for us.”
Sponsored by Methodist Hospitals, the fair greeted hundreds of visitors as they talked with representatives from various companies and organizations and gathered pamphlets and other information regarding everything from dental clinics and foot care centers to adult day care facilities, with much in between.
“We have a really big family, so I always get whatever information I can find, no matter the subject,” said Dan Larimer of East Chicago, as he made his way down the aisles of vendors. “There’s a lot of health problems with my relatives, so there’s always someone who can use the information.”
Sandra Hill of Gary also picked up information that she would pass to others.
“I always fill my bag when I come to these (health fairs). I take it to work to read what’s inside when I’m on break,” she said. “I take it to church too. Others usually want to see what I have, so a lot of people benefit.”
Ashley Johnson and Tatyana Prince of Familia Dental offered free brief oral evaluations for visitors to their table.
“A lot of people are scared of the dentist and we’re here to try to ease that,” Johnson said. “It’s important for us to do community outreach — such as this Health Fair — to help them build trust in us.”
Keeping up with optimum health is no small feat, according to Gary resident Lu Latimer.
“I go to the doctor for my yearly ritual, read up on things I suffer from — like arthritis and high blood pressure — but there’s always something new to learn,” she said, as she waited for her blood pressure screening. “As we get older, even if we think we’re doing everything right, we still have to pay attention to it all.”
In addition to blood pressure readings, visitors to the Health Fair were offered blood draws for glucose, cholesterol and prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, for men.
Bone density screenings, heart attack and stroke risk assessments to measure the risk of getting a heart attack or stroke, and testing for body mass index were included in the free offerings. Tables presenting information on: Ask a Doc, Ask a Pharmacist; HIP 2.0 Enrollment Information and Trauma Services also were available.
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A small “farmer’s market” was located in one corner for shoppers interested in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter.