YMCA holds health fair

YMCA holds health fair
Ryan Peverly, Staff Writer
Register Herald
September 27, 2009

The Preble County YMCA held its annual health fair on Thursday, Sept. 24, in conjunction with Kettering Health Network and the Preble County Medical Center.

"The Y is recognized as the community leader in health and wellness, and it's great that we can hold this event at our facility and help with community awareness," said Josh Haynes, executive director of the Preble County YMCA. "The community gets basic awareness about their own personal health and how to live a healthy lifestyle, and this allows community vendors to let people know what they have to offer."

At the event, over 30 local health vendors educated attendees in several different areas of health, including weight loss, diabetes, home care and pharmaceuticals. Free screenings were also conducted, including cholesterol, blood pressure, skin, osteoporosis and balance.

The Preble County General Health District was also on-hand providing information on H1N1.

"I don't think it's about healthcare providers doing things for patients; I think it's about patients doing things for themselves, and events like this are great in that regard," said Ann Hopkins, director of Kettering Medical Network's ambulatory centers.

"We're out here educating people about health risks and nutrition, and (education) is as big a part of healthcare as visiting a doctor," Hopkins added. "The most important thing is people participating in their own health, and educating themselves and finding out what they can do to live a healthy lifestyle. It's not always about going to the doctor and getting fixed. There are things you can do on your own to stay healthy."

Haynes' estimated turnout for the event was well above last year's total.

"We had about 350 people last year, and this year we were up over 500," Haynes said. "I think (the rise in numbers) can be attributed to people losing their jobs and their benefits. They could be coming here to get some of their screenings for free, as well as get some new information they may not have had before about what it means to live a healthy lifestyle."