Health Forum For Women
The 13th Annual Lafayette County “Heart to Heart: The Heart Truth”® Health Forum for Women was held on March 18th at First Baptist Church in Higginsville. More than 200 women were in attendance for this health event.
The women were given the opportunity to participate in a number of free health screenings which included cholesterol, B.P., blood sugar, bone density, grip strength, BMI, skin cancer, glaucoma, and balance assessment. LPN students from Lex La-Ray Vo-Tech school assisted with several of the screenings. The women were also able to visit several health exhibits offered by 23 various organizations, agencies and area hospitals that participated in the forum. They were provided a heart-healthy meal for dinner .
Prior to the keynote speaker, a panel of area nurse practitioners shared information on women’s health issues which included “Diabetes & Your Health”, “Dump Your Plump”, and “Stress & Your Heart”.
Dr. Marla Tobin was the keynote speaker. She discussed risk factors for heart disease affecting women, and learn the results of new studies that indicate some earlier breast cancer therapies and conditions like diabetes, among others, increase one’s risk for heart disease. Dr. Tobin highlighted common misconceptions about women and heart disease, and informed women how to take a pro-active role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke.
The Health Forum concluded with a “Heart to Heart” fashion show featuring local women sharing how heart disease has touched their life or someone in their family. The women modeled new spring outfits from several local retail businesses.
Students from the Multi Media Class from Lex La-Ray Vo-Tech school created the slide show which ran throughout the fashion show. Members of the Lafayette County C-1 School FFA escorted the models to and from the stage.
The program was funded through generous contributions from more than 20 local businesses/organizations and a grant from the National Institutes of Health as part of a public-private Partnership with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) on behalf of The Heart Truth® in support of women’s heart health education and research.
Event Sponsors included: Lafayette County Health Department, Lafayette Regional Health Center, University of Missouri Extension, American Heart Association, Rodgers-Lafayette Dental & Health Center, Higginsville Habilitation Center, Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County and I-70 Community Hospital.