By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Farm families in Illinois who are worried about health care or its costs are invited to attend Cover the Uninsured Week events at the Southern Illinois University Medical School (SIU), which ends May 3.

Event organizers said the purpose of the week is to help raise local awareness of health care issues. “The health fair will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3,” said Ruth Slottag of SIU.

The fair will be in Springfield, where both rural families and locals without insurance can come to the Boys and Girls Club at 300 South 15th Street. At the fair, a variety of free health screenings will be offered for children and adults.

Screenings include blood pressure, dental, depression, diabetes, skin cancer and vision. Information will also be offered about skin care and nutrition.

“The screenings will be conducted by representatives from SIU Physicians and Surgeons and local health care providers,” Slottag added. With the screenings, central Illinois community organizations will provide information. The event will be filled with something for the whole family, including children’s activities, door prizes and refreshments.

Keep in mind that children must be accompanied by an adult, and a parent or guardian must be present for children to participate in health screenings.

This is a joint venture offered by SIU and the Sangamon County Medical Society and is paid for through grants to medical students at SIU from the American Medical Assoc. and the American Assoc. of Medical Colleges.

Farm families in central Illinois without coverage are not alone. SIU statistics show that nearly 47 million Americans – about 15 percent of the United States population – were without health insurance in 2007. For more about the health fair, contact Sheryl Lloyd, SIU School of Medicine, at 217-545-8515 weekdays.