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MEDIA RELEASE From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein |
Date August 5, 2014
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
Health Department to Offer Free Screenings at Fair
Interactive Educational Activities & Healthcare Experts to Answer Residents’ Questions
ERIE COUNTY, NY—The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) will be offering a variety of educational and informative activities throughout the twelve-day run of the 175th annual Erie County Fair. The Health Department will be located within the Marketplace Building on 42nd Street on the Fair Grounds in Hamburg, NY.
“There will be opportunities to learn important health numbers that may be an indication to seek further medical advice” stated Dr. Gale R. Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “This is a convenient and no-cost way to take charge of your health by learning your “number” and understanding what those test results mean in only few minutes time.”
The free Health Screenings are offered in collaboration with Catholic Health System, Erie County Cancer Services Program, Lake Shore Behavioral Health, and Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment Services.
Screenings will include:
- Stressed & Depressed? Talk to someone from Lake Shore Behavioral Health or Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment Services to learn how to cope! (August 12-13-14-15)
- Cholesterol Screening – Know Your Numbers! Before you eat those deep-fried Fair delicacies, check out your cholesterol levels and learn what they mean. (August 8-11-12-13)
- Colorectal Cancer using the Fecal Immunochemical Test (“FIT”)—Erie County has one of the lower rates in New York State for screening for colorectal cancer and is also one of the counties with the highest numbers of people with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when found early enough. Learn how the simple-to-use and private, take-home FIT test can be used to screen for this disease. (everyday)
- Bone Density (Osteoporosis)—Everyone 40+ years is eligible for and recommended to be screened for bone density. Come learn if you are at increased risk for bone fractures and how to keep your bones strong & healthy. (August 7-8-9-10-14-15-16-17)
- Blood Pressure—Check out your blood pressure reading at our free-standing automatic kiosk. (everyday)
Educational Information & Experts will be on hand to answer questions about:
- Living with Diabetes—Certified Diabetes Educator will be on hand Friday, August 15th from Noon-8 pm to answer your questions.
- Smoking Cessation—On August 9th & 11th speak with a certified Smoking Cessation Counselor and receive free Nicotine Replacement Therapy products, if eligible.
- Speak to a Healthcare Navigator, learn about your options and enroll in the New York Health Insurance Marketplace (everyday)
- Health Jeopardy (August 6-9-10-11-12-13-15-17)—Answer “Jeopardy-style” questions to test your health knowledge & win a prize!
Members of our Division of Environmental Health will explain their programs in:
- Vector control (rats, insects, etc.) (August 7th)
- Making your house Asthma Friendly—Learn how to reduce triggers in the environment that can cause flare-ups. (August 8-14-16)
- Lead Poisoning Prevention—Do you live in an older house?
- Talk to a public health nurse; check to see if your child (5 years or younger) has been screened for elevated blood lead levels. (August 9-13-15-17)
- Learn how to keep your family safe and healthy from the serious dangers of lead poisoning. (August 9-10-12-13-15-16-17)
“I encourage everyone to stop by to learn more about the services we provide to Erie County residents” concluded Burstein.
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For more information:
Erie County Department of Health – http://www2.erie.gov/health/