May Save Lives, Prevent Costly Hospital Stays Among Rural Elderly Community health fairs may be a cost-effective method for preventing cardiovascular disease in elderly, rural populations, according to a Texas Medical Association study.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for the nation's senior population.
Community health fairs that offer screening for cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes may boost efforts by primary care physicians to identify cardiovascular risk factors and educate patients about how to reduce their risk for the disease. The study used a community health fair model designed to promote wellness and independence, prevent further health deterioration, and reduce the fragmentation of health services, according to the article. The study tracked 44 elderly patients of a primary care practice in a rural Texas community who attended two complimentary health fairs. Forty-four percent of the patients had not had a medical checkup in the past year and 15 percent had never had an examination. The screenings detected a large number of risk factors in the patients studied.