Health Fair Sponsored by SIU Med School for Cover the

Uninsured Week

A health fair for the public will be held next month as part of the local awareness events for Cover the Uninsured Week (CTUW) April 27 – May 3.

The health fair will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Boys and Girls Club, 300 S. 15th St., Springfield.  A variety of free health screenings will be offered for children and adults including blood pressure, dental, depression, diabetes, skin cancer and vision.  The screenings will be conducted by representatives from SIU Physicians & Surgeons and local health care providers. 

A dozen community organizations have been invited to provide information about resources to cover their health care needs.  Information about skin care and nutrition will be available.  There also will be activities for the family including children’s activities, door prizes and refreshments.  Children must be accompanied by an adult and a parent or guardian must be present for children to participate in health screenings.

The local activities have been organized by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Sangamon County Medical Society.  The health fair is being funded by grants to medical students at SIU School of Medicine from the American Medical Association and the American Association of Medical Colleges.

Other local CTUW events are scheduled during April 27 – May 3 to raise awareness of the medically uninsured.  SIU School of Medicine, its affiliate hospitals, Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital, and the Sangamon County Medical Society have joined the national campaign sponsored by the Robert Wood Foundation (www.covertheuninsured.org).  Nearly 47 million Americans, about 15 percent of the U.S. population, were without health insurance in 2007. 

For more information about the health fair, contact Sheryl Lloyd, SIU School of Medicine, 545-8515 weekdays.

- 30 -