Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Many of the attendees at the Annual Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference for the past 37 years are farmers and producers whose focus is on caring for the health of their families and livestock at the expense of neglecting their own preventative health care.

Response:
For the past five years, ISU Extension has coordinated with Public Health officials and student nurses from Indian Hills Community College to offer free health screens at this event. Services offered have ranged from blood pressure checks, rapid diabetes checks, complete lipid panel, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL. The cost of the cassettes used in the screening process has been underwritten through the generous support of community donors who have seen the value of such preventative health care in a non-traditional setting. The community members have elected to provide monetary support for this extension programming effort.

Impact:
Attendees increasingly recognize and seek out the health screening opportunities. Participation grows substantially each year. This year, the screening area was moved to the entrance of the exhibit due to the fact that when it was in the exhibit hall it "clogged" the aisles. At this year's event, over 70 blood screenings were performed - the number was limited only by the availability of screen kits. Fifty percent of the individuals tested had elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Over 125 blood pressure checks were completed; twenty-five percent were abnormal. Individuals are referred to their health care providers for follow-up care.

Clientele reported they wouldn't have sought this preventative care on their own - having the screenings at a venue they are attending is not only covenient but potentially life-saving. Spouses of individuals being screened expressed their appreciation for this opportunity. The following comment is from a screening participant. "It is great that ISU Extension offers this service at this event. I wouldn't have done this otherwise and you need to know. I plan to make a follow-up appointment as a result of this screening."

Additional ISUE Staff:
Gary Bickmeier, CEED, 641-622-2680, gary@iastate.edu; Mark Carlton, FS/AG, 641-932-5612, mcarltn@iastate; Natasha Forsythe, FS/External Relations, 641-682-8324; Lois Hunt, loish@iastate.edu; Sandra McLain, CEED, 319-293-3919, smclain@iastate.edu

Additional Team Members/Community Partners:
Lynelle Diers, Wapello County Public Health
Indian Hills Community College, Nursing Students

Contact:
Barbara Anderson
Wapello County Extension
214 East 2nd
Ottumwa, IA 52501
641-682-5491
bjanders@iastate.edu