Appalachian Health Fair to be held at Berea library

Sierra Marling, Richmond Register, Ky.
·3 min read

Mar. 15—Sierra Marling

The Madison County Library will be hosting an Appalachian Health Fair in partnership with Anthem and Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. (KRFDC.)

The event will take place on Sunday, March 19, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the library's branch in Berea.

Karen Atkins, public information officer at KRFDC, said the Appalachian region has higher mortality rates than the nation in seven of America's leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), injury, stroke, diabetes, and suicide.

According to Atkins, in Madison County, deaths attributed to poisoning — which includes drug overdoses — are "significant."

The region, which includes Madison County, is also heavily impacted by unemployment and underemployment.

"Appalachia is one of the poorest regions in the country," she noted.

While cost is certainly a factor in healthcare outcomes everywhere, Atkins said other factors — like obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity — contribute to these regional health issues.

"One significant challenge our neighbors face is fear of having a negative experience, which can lead some people to delay or avoid medical care, especially routine care such as early detection tests," she explained. "For example, missing a routine cancer screening can lead to the disease being diagnosed at a later stage, when it's harder to treat."

It is this reality that led KRFDC to partner with the Madison County Library to host the Appalachian Health Fair.

"This event aligns with our mission of developing community resources so that all persons may have lives of dignity, responsibility, and opportunity," Atkins remarked.

Katlyn Ramsey, coordinator of adult programs at the library, said one of the goals of the event is to "be able to get (health care providers and representatives)together into a room and have easy access for the community" so that participants can have a healthier life.

"We also want to take down some barriers that exist for people who live in the region — mainly, money, education, time, and accessibility," she explained.

Ramsey said various vendors will be set up all around the library to speak to attendees. Participants do not need to be insured, or uninsured, to participate.

Through the partnership, attendees will also have access to vaccines and various screenings, and all participants will receive First Aid Kits.

Connections to various services will be onsite, including a KRFDC kynector, who will help qualified individuals and families apply for Medicaid and the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP.)

Atkins said that KRFDC will also be able to connect people to other programs, such as the Kentucky Integrated Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (KI — HIPP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP), and the Child Care Assistance program.

KRFDC's Madison Opioid Response and Empowerment (or MORE) program will be at the event to provide Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal Systems, which are small bags that use a patented neutralizer that deactivates pills, liquids, and patches, providing a safe way to properly dispose of drugs like prescription painkillers.