Women’s Health Expo gives free screenings, advice

Lack of health coverage prompts providers to offer free screenings

Methodist Hospital and numerous organizations gathered at Valley Hi Country Club in Elk Grove on Oct. 2 for a Women's Health Expo.

Assembly Member Joan Buchanan and District Director Susanna Schlendorf were in attendance to show their support for women's health issues.

"We now have 25 percent of our population here in California with no health insurance," Buchanan said. "To be able to provide a service like this in conjunction with Mercy Hospital…. (is) great community outreach and wonderful for those who find themselves without health insurance."

Buchanan partnered with the San Ramon Regional Medical Center in February for a health fair for both men and women, but considering October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she said, they decided to place a stronger focus on women at this event.

"Part of this is a sign of the times," Schlendorf said regarding the need for a free health-screening event.

Some people have lost their healthcare coverage or only have trauma coverage, she added.

Linda Dunn of Elk Grove was making her way from station to station. Elk Grove City Council Member Pat Hume helped Dunn measure her body composition with a handheld device she used.

Dunn lost her job and health insurance in 2002. She relies on free events such as these to keep tabs on her health.

"They should have more of these (events) because there are a lot of people who really need it," she said.

The lack of health insurance and access to quality healthcare for women is not only a sign of the times. Women have less access to health care than men.

"I think part of that is just socio-economic," Buchanan said. "If you have a single woman with two children, sometimes everything she makes is going to pay the rent and put food on the table, she's not able to afford healthcare."

It was unclear how many women at the expo took advantage of the free screenings because they are lacking health insurance or because they simply wanted clear, quick answers to their health inquires from medical experts.

Women filled the room for free screenings and to collect samples from various vendors.

The American Red Cross offered free blood pressure checks. Mercy also screened for diabetes, cholesterol, and oxygen levels.

Lisa Odermatt, C. Ped, from Shoes that Fit in Elk Grove distributed information on orthopedic shoes and insoles for people with injuries or deformities that might require customized shoes. Odermatt said 80 percent of their customers are women.

A cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon was also present to discuss his services. Many women's health experts consider cosmetic surgery a disservice to women, however women who undergo mastectomies sometimes require or chose to have reconstructive surgery.

Clinical Health Appraisals Inc. tested bone density, which is often low in petite and Asian-American women.

Deborah Henderson of Galt had her bone density tested and learned she is at a "moderate risk" of developing osteoporosis. She was given a packet of information that included a list of behaviors to reduce the loss of bone density, such as consuming more calcium-rich foods and limiting caffeine intake.

Judy Burghard, a registered nurse at Mercy San Juan, said out of all the various tests for women that day, women most often have a problem with their cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol results from a build-up of plaque in the blood that can cause blockages of the arteries. Improper diet, lack of exercise and heredity can all lead to high cholesterol.

Burghard and the two other Mercy employees were telling women about "superfoods," such as salmon and almonds. She also had advice about which type of margarine product to use.

It's best not to eat butter or margarine, she said, but if someone is going to use some sort of butter-type spread they should look for ones containing plant stanol esters, which can help to lower LDL cholesterol.

They also handed out cards that listed screenings people can receive at Mercy without health insurance.

Individuals without insurance can receive a vascular and a cardiac screening for $149 out-of-pocket cost.

Excerpted from Elk Grove Citizen