Various Health Screenings Will be Offered for Free at the Kentucky State Fair

The medical community will gather at the Kentucky State Fair this year to offer free screenings and educational materials to fairgoers. More than 15 different types of health screenings will be available in the Health Horizons area in South Wing B, along with educational displays and handouts.

The American Red Cross will also hold a blood drive. According to Katy Maloy, Communications Manager for the River Valley Region of the American Red Cross, summer is often the lowest season of the year for blood donations. Therefore, it is important for patrons to come out and participate. Last year, 815 units of blood were donated at the Fair. Maloy hopes to have more than 1,000 blood donations made during the 11-day event.  Currently all blood types are needed, especially type O negative, A negative and B negative.

Along with screenings, fairgoers will receive educational pamphlets and brochures on different health-related issues. The Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group and the Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention are just two of the organizations that will be present offering materials and answering questions.

Harold Workman, President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board, said “The Fair is the largest public outreach in the state, making it the best venue to educate and inform Kentuckians about these important health issues.”

All screenings are free, unless noted. Screenings times and dates are:

Prostate cancer screenings by Kentucky Cancer Program: Thursday, Aug. 18 – Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Skin and oral cancer screenings by Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 1:00    p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Hearing Screenings by Heuser Hearing Institute and Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily, except 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23 (Senior Day)

Various screenings by Norton Healthcare

BMI Assessments – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., August 21-26 (11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on August 22)

Bone Density Screening – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., August 22 ONLY

Skin Cancer Screening – 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., August 22 and 23 ONLY

Blood Pressure Screenings - Daily

Body Fat Analysis Screenings – August 18, 21 and 27

Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Screenings – August 23 ONLY

Lung Health Screening – August 20 ONLY

Stroke Screenings (Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure) – August 23 ONLY

Eye screenings and eyeglass cleaning by KY Lions Eye Foundation: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

American Red Cross Blood Drive: Daily from 11 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. except Sunday August 28th, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00

Mammogram screenings by UofL Health Care: Daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. * fee applies

The 107th Kentucky State Fair will be held August 18-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information and continued updates on the 2011 Kentucky State Fair, visit the official website.