KNOXVILLE—The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, community can get plenty of good health information next week at a free health fair.
UT’s College of Nursing is again teaming up with the Student Health Center and the UT Medical Center (UTMC) for “HealthBeat 2012,” a free health fair for UT students, faculty, staff, retirees, and their families.
The fair will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center Ballroom. Parking is available in Volunteer Hall across Cumberland Avenue. Normal rates apply.
Several screenings and tests will be provided, and exhibition booths also will be set up with representatives from various healthcare organizations and UT departments providing information.
“HealthBeat is a great opportunity to participate in important health screenings and receive additional informative materials,” said Mary Sue Hodges, clinical instructor in the College of Nursing. “Several labs done as a part of an annual physical are available at a significantly reduced rate.”
Participants will be able to obtain information on nutrition and weight management, diabetes, breast health, oral cancer, organ donor registry and sign-up, HIV/AIDS education, student health education and services, drug and alcohol abuse, heart health and stroke risk, primary care, adult immunizations, ER trauma, pharmacogenetics, genetic counseling and genetic testing, and general health. Ask-a-doctor and ask-a-pharmacist opportunities also will be available. Also, MEDIC will be hosting a blood drive.
In addition to the information and exhibition booths, the following screenings will be provided:
- Oral and dental health screening
- Carotid artery screening
- Skin cancer/age progression screening
- Blood pressure screening
- Bone density screening
- Body mass Index screening
- CO2/Pulse ox screening
- Vision screening
- Blood typing
- HIV/AIDS testing
- Sickle cell and other hemoglobinopathy testing
Insurance is not required for any of the screenings or tests. Small fees will apply only to those screenings that require lab work:
- A1C—This test measures blood glucose average for the past three months. $20
- Prostate Specific Antigen screening (men only)—This test measures the amount of PSA released into your blood by the prostate gland. $20
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)—This test serves as a tool to measure thyroid levels in the body and can help diagnose thyroid disease. $20
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel—This test measures protein, potassium, sodium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albuminum, among several other components. $20
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP)—This test measures inflammation of the heart and can help assess your risk for heart disease. $20
- Lipid Panel (fasting required except water and black coffee)—This test measures your total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, ratio and glucose. $20
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)—This test measures your red and white blood cell count. $15
- Vitamin D screening—This test measures the level of vitamin D in your body. For accurate results, do not take supplements for forty-eight hours prior to screening. $25
Fasting for eight to ten hours is required for the lipid panel. Water and black coffee are allowed, and drinking plenty of fluids the day before is advised. Prescriptions should be taken as prescribed. Diabetics should consult with their physician before fasting.
Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted. Checks can be made payable to UTMC. Results will be mailed to the participant within ten business days.
The following UT departments and programs will have representatives and/or booths at the fair: Center for Physical Activity & Health, Book and Supply Store, Student Health Center, Police Department, Human Resources, and the Safety, Environment, and Education Center.
Other participating organizations include UTMC Genetic Center, Knox County Health Department, Office on Aging, Tennessee Donors, and Tennessee Newborns.
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C O N T A C T :
Mary Sue Hodges (865-974-7596, mhodges4@utk.edu)
Whitney Heins (865-974-5460, wheins@utk.edu)