The University of Toledo

Main Campus employees are encouraged to participate in free health screens this week.

The screens, which include height, weight, body mass index, glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, are part of a proactive health initiative enacted in the last Communications Workers of America contract.

Screens will take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Main Campus Medical Center. Call 419.383.2348 (BFIT) to schedule appointments.

Health knowledge acquired from the screens will help employees make informed decisions about their care and provide solid baselines for risk factors that can lead to future medical problems, according to Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, Health Science Campus provost, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine, who was instrumental in helping HR plan the screens.

Illnesses such as diabetes, cardiac disease and stroke are highly preventable with the advent of simple lifestyle changes, such as healthier dietary choices, exercise and stress management, Gold said.

The screens will take 10 to 15 minutes per person and include one needle poke for both blood-based tests. Fasting for 12 hours before the screen will yield more accurate results, but is not necessary.

Immediate test results will be available. Educational staff, including nursing personnel and dietitians, will be on-site to answer questions and facilitate follow-up counseling.

This entry was posted  on  Monday, January 4th, 2010 at  5:54 am and is filed under  UToday.
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