2005 Year in Review

Health And Safety To Be Featured At Farm Progress Show

Source: Stu Ellis, Macon County Extension, 217/875-7211, Extension 278

Blood glucose, hearing, and a complete cholesterol evaluation will be just three of the ten health screenings available to visitors at the Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Decatur, August 30 through September 1. Two-dozen separate agencies–lead by University of Illinois Extension–are collaborating on a Rural Health and Safety Initiative to increase farmers' awareness of their health. Initiative coordinator Stu Ellis of University of Illinois Extension said, "This will encourage farmers to seek medical attention if their evaluations taken at the Farm Progress Show are beyond normal parameters."

Other screenings will include blood pressure, mobility, spirometry, body fat, bone density, depression, and dementia. The screenings will be provided without charge in the Farm Health & Safety tent in Progress City and in the Schrodt Medical Center in Richland Community College. Visitors will receive a record of their scores to either take to their family physician or compare to their similar scores at the 2007 Farm Progress Show in Decatur.

Farm health and safety has long been a priority of Farm Progress Companies, which sponsors the event, and provides the space for a myriad of displays and health screenings at no cost to the public.

A particular focus will be on farm safety, with displays by University of Illinois, Purdue University, AgrAbility Unlimited, and Carle Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety. "Many of these displays will increase awareness about the importance of farm safety, special equipment for disabled farmers, and how family members can respond to a mishap," said Ellis.

Other features include the distribution of free gunlocks by the Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, radon testing by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the importance of early detection of prostate and testicular cancers. Additionally, the Macon County Health Department will be providing–for a service fee–a combination booster shot that includes the tetanus vaccine.

Other collaborators include Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Prairie Heart Institute, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, Lions of Illinois, American Red Cross, St. Mary's and Decatur Memorial Hospitals, CHIC, Mental Health Assn. and Heritage Behavioral Health.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
August 2, 2005