From hearing screening to allergy testing to blood typing, health resources and answers will be available to the UT community at HealthBeat 2015, a free health fair for UT students, faculty, staff, and retirees, as well as their families.
UT’s College of Nursing is joining forces with the Student Health Center and UT Medical Center for HealthBeat 2015, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, in the University Center Ballroom. Parking is available for a fee in Volunteer Hall across Cumberland Avenue.
A variety of screenings and tests will be provided, and exhibition booths will be set up with representatives from health care organizations and university departments. Reusable bags will be given to the first 500 participants. MEDIC Regional Blood Center also will be holding a blood drive starting at 7:30 a.m.
Some of the available information will cover nutrition and weight management, diabetes, heart health and stroke risk, and general health.
A pharmacist will be available to answer general medication questions.
Free screenings will include the following:
- Carotid artery screening for stroke prevention
- Age progression screening
- Bone density screening
- Body mass index screening
- Vision screening
- Allergy testing
- Blood typing
- Bone marrow match
Insurance is not required for any of the screenings or tests. Small fees will apply only to screenings that require lab work:
- A1C—Measures blood glucose average for the past three months. Cost is $20.
- Prostate-specific antigen screening—Measures the amount of PSA released into the blood by the prostate gland. Cost is $20.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone—Measures thyroid levels in the body and can help diagnose thyroid disease. Cost is $20.
- Comprehensive metabolic panel—Measures protein, potassium, sodium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin, among several other components. Cost is $20.
- C-reactive protein—Measures inflammation of the heart and can help assess your risk for heart disease. Cost is $20.
- Lipid panel—Measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and glucose. Fasting except water and black coffee is required for eight to ten hours before the test, and drinking plenty of fluids the day before is advised. (Diabetics should consult with their physician before fasting.) Current medication should be taken as prescribed. Cost is $20.
- Complete blood count—Measures red and white blood cell count. Cost is $15.
- Vitamin D screening—Measures the level of vitamin D in the body. For accurate results, do not take supplements for forty-eight hours before the screening. Cost is $25.
Credit cards, cash, and checks are accepted. Checks can be made payable to UTMC. Results will be mailed to the participant within ten business days.
Departments and programs that will have representatives or booths at the fair include the Center for Physical Activity and Health; the Student Health Center and Pharmacy; the UT Police Department; and the Center for Health Education and Wellness.
Other participating organizations include the Knox County Health Department, TN Alzheimer’s, MEDIC Regional Blood Center, and the Knoxville–Knox County Office on Aging.
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CONTACT:
Mary Sue Hodges (865-974-7596, mhodges4@utk.edu)