The Lugar Center for Rural Health partners with Union Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency to provide a rural training program that prepares primary care physicians for practice in rural and underserved areas. Fifty physicians have graduated from this training program established in 1992.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to provide educational information about current health issues and to share important and timely information about things we can all do to better prepare and protect our families and keep them healthy,” said Sarah Snider, administrator. “We also want our rural residents to know how important their healthcare is to us as we focus our efforts on training physicians and health care providers to serve our many rural and underserved communities.”

Some screenings and services available on Rural Health Day include blood pressure checks, glucose checks and limited eye exams. Union’s Family Medicine Residency will have the Reach Out and Read Program available for children and they will also do face paintings for children. Information on pandemic influenza, farm safety around grain bins and healthy lifestyles - including nutrition, fitness, and tobacco cessation - will be offered.

“Making healthy lifestyle choices is something we can all do,” said Dr. Eric Beachy, Medical Director of Clay City Center for Family Medicine. “It is extremely important that we are aware of how much these choices affect our general health. If you can control a chronic disease such as diabetes or hypertension through proper diet and exercise and avoid unhealthy habits such as tobacco use you can maintain good health without the need for expensive medications.”

The Wabash Valley Fairgrounds is located on U.S. 41, less than one mile south of I-70. For more details about features at the Farm World Expo, call 1-800-876-5133, ext-188, or visit the Expo’s website at www.farmworldexpo.com

This farm news was published in the June 21, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.