The Millikin Community Health Fair will be held on Nov. 13 at the Richards Treat University Center. This is a cooperative effort between the Human Resource Department, the School of Nursing, the Athletic Training Department, and the Health & Counseling Center. Our purpose is to provide education and diagnostic screening opportunities for the students, faculty and administrative support staff. Here are just a few of the screenings and topics to be covered:

• Mammography & the Importance of Self Breast Exam - Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women.
• PSA & Men's Health - Prostate & Testicular Cancer -Testicular cancer mainly affects young men between the ages of 20 and 39.
• Free Radon Kits Available - Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
• Fasting and screening blood sugar levels - Diabetes Info.
• Fasting lipid panel and rapid cholesterol screening - Registered dietician for food and nutrition consults.
• Hearing consults. Vision screening with an optometrist to discuss contact lens wear, and Lasik surgery.
• Pulmonary function tests, and  pulse oximetry screening.  Asthma and smoking cessation information.
• Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse screening. 

Screening will be offered to individuals to help evaluate their health risk/status. The majority of the screenings are available at no cost to the individual. We are fortunate to have the community support us in this venture. We will have representatives from Decatur Memorial, St. Mary's, and St. John's Hospital, the Macon County Health Department, the Community Health Improvement Center, the Audibel Hearing Center, the Macon County Eye Center, Planned Parenthood, and DOVE. 

This is flu season, flu shots will be offered at the Health Fair on Nov. 13 and at the Health Center until the supply is depleted. The cost is $15. The Health Center will also continue to offer the meningitis vaccine and the HPV vaccine to students at cost. Given our volume, these two vaccines may be less expensive at the local health department. 

Remember, hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.  How should you wash your hands?

• Wet your hands with warm running water.
• Lather with soap and scrub between fingers, on the backs of your hands, and under nails.
• Wash for at least 20 seconds, or as long as it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' to yourself twice.
• Dry hands.  Use single-use paper towels or electric hand dryers.
• Use a paper towel when you turn off the tap.

For helpful hints related to frequent illnesses such as flu, fever, cold, etc please refer to our website: 

http://www.millikin.edu/health/hot_topics.asp