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by Gina DeMent, Public Information Officer
Five County Mental Health Authority
1. What is Healthy Living for a Lifetime?
Healthy Living for a Lifetime is an initiative that seeks to provide rural North Carolinians with the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle by providing free professional health screenings, educational materials, and resources designed to encourage a commitment to healthy living.
To accomplish this, we will use a 50-foot Mobile Health Screening Unit to administer tests and bring together community organizations to provide guidance and advice to screening participants.
2. When and where is this event?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Maria Parham Medical Center.
3. How much does it cost?
Healthy Living for a Lifetime screenings are completely FREE. There is absolutely no cost to the public to attend the event or be screened.
4. Who is eligible to be screened?
Everyone! Healthy Living for a Lifetime will not require anything from you in order to be screened. If you are younger than 18 years old, you will need your parent or legal guardian to provide their consent for you to be screened. According to the US Preventive Services Task Force, some specialty screenings are recommended only for certain groups of people, such as women over 60, people who smoke, etc. These screenings may be restricted based on availability and expert recommendations.
5. Do I need insurance?
NO! You do not need to provide proof of insurance or have any type of coverage in order to be screened.
6. Do I have to be from Vance County?
NO! We will screen everyone, regardless of their county of residence.
7. Do I need to be a Farm Bureau member?
NO! You do not need to be a Farm Bureau member, nor do you have to purchase a Farm Bureau membership in order to be screened.
8. Do I need an appointment?
No. But only around 200 can be screened in a day.
9. What are the screenings like?
The Lipid Panel and Blood Glucose screenings consist of a single prick of your finger in order to collect a small amount of blood. This process takes only a few seconds. The blood is then analyzed while you continue on to the other screenings. The Blood Pressure screening is exactly like the test you might get at your doctor’s office or that can be found in some retail pharmacies. A band will be placed around your upper arm, tightened briefly, and then gradually released; this process takes only about a minute. Your Body Mass Index is actually computed by your height and weight, which is collected during the sign in process. If you are unsure of your height and/or weight, we will use a wall chart and scale to determine those figures. Your Bone Density is tested by placing your heel in a small machine with two knobs that will take an ultrasound of your heel. You will need to remove your shoe and a small amount of ultrasound jelly will be placed on your heel. You will be given a moist towel to clean your heel before putting your shoe back on.
10. Is there anything I have to do to prepare to be screened?
You do not need to do any type of preparation in order to be screened. However, for the most accurate results it is recommended that you fast prior to Blood Glucose and Lipid Panel testing. Fasting is defined as no caloric intake for at least 8 hours.
11. Do I have to do all the screenings?
No. You are not required to undergo any screening that you are not comfortable having administered to you.
12. How/When do I get my results?
Your screening results can be provided in a matter of minutes, in most cases before you exit the Mobile Screening Unit. Your results will be printed on a small sticker which will be placed on your screening passport that you are given before you begin the screenings. Some specialty screenings may require that your results be mailed to you at a later date.
13. Who collects my results? Will anyone else see my results?
US Wellness, the company hired to administer the Healthy Living for a Lifetime screenings, will collect and store your screening results on a secure data system in compliance with state and federal privacy laws. NC Farm Bureau and its affiliated organizations will not have access to your results. If you choose, you may elect to have your screening results sent to a physician that you specify. Your screening passport which contains your screening results will not bear your name or identifying information.
14. Do you offer transportation to/from the event?
Transportation may be available through community resources on an as needed basis, but it cannot be guaranteed. Please contact Mike Garlow at (919) 420-0526 or Adam Tesh at (919) 420-0527 if you are in need of transportation.
15. What else do I get?
We will be offering educational materials, promotional items, and other free screenings. Some community organizations may offer additional giveaways or services at low or no cost.
16. Do you have a Web site?
Yes! Please visit www.healthylivingforalifetime.com for up-to-date information about the initiative, screening events, and the NC Farm Bureau.
17. Will you cancel or move in the event of inclement weather?
Screening events will proceed rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, we may delay or discontinue services to ensure the safety of the public and our staff.