MU Health Care partners with Columbia Farmers Market for free health screenings and education
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
MU Health Care partnered with the Columbia Farmers Market Saturday morning to offer free screenings and educational sessions on illnesses and diseases.
The health care booth was set up from 8 a.m. to noon. According to experts, it’s never too early to start taking care of your health.
"The earlier you take control of your life and start practicing healthy lifestyles habits you know, the better off you're going to be in the long run," said Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for MU Health Care Marty McCormack.
McCormick said having a booth in a busy place like the Farmers Market can raise awareness, encourage prevention, and motivate people to adjust their lifestyles.
MU Health Care had several booths for the public to learn more about potential health risks.
Some booths included: Heart Health and Stroke Screenings, Cancer Screenings and Risk Education, CPR training, Healthy Steps Education, Pharmacy education, Financial Aid Education, as well as Job Opportunities within MU's human resources team.
Within just an hour and a half of setting up, Brooke Wakeman, a radiology resident, said that nearly 200 people had stopped by.
"I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the wonderful turnout of young females who are very concerned about their breast health," said Wakeman.
Wakeman noted that the top concern among visitors was skin cancer.
"The top concern today has actually been skin cancer, skin cancer prevention, and understanding what normal and abnormal things look like."
A young woman who visited the event to gather information, Duyen Train said despite a person appearing to be in good shape and health, appearances can be deceiving.
"As a nurse, I see many young people come in with various health concerns," Train said. "Just because they’re young and healthy doesn’t mean they’re free from risks due to family or genetic history."
Many health experts emphasize the importance of regular check-ups, regardless of age or perceived wellness.
"So, early screening is always recommended....even though you think that you live a healthy lifestyle, it’s not always the case with young people," said Tran.
McCormick added that they conduct public screenings and educational services every two to three months, depending on upcoming events. Health experts advise smokers over the age of 50 to start annual low-dose CT scans.
