9Health Fair also attracted a record number of volunteers, with approximately 19,000 medical and non-medical volunteers from hospitals, medical organizations, colleges, universities, service clubs and more, joining forces to deliver over 25 medically-endorsed health awareness screenings to participants.          

“We are extremely happy that so many individuals benefited from 9Health Fair this year,” said Anne Cosby, President and CEO of 9Health Fair, “but because Coloradans live such active lifestyles, and as health care costs continue to rise, we are not surprised that we had a record-breaking year.   To live life to the fullest and to keep up with rising healthcare costs, it’s essential that people know their current health situation so that health emergencies can be prevented.  That’s what 9Health Fair is all about.”

In 2006, nearly 10 percent of 9Health Fair participants learned of a previously unknown health concern. Likewise, 2,055 phone calls were made to participants within 72 hours of their 9Health Fair visit notifying them of a critical or alert health situation requiring immediate medical attention.

“Our follow up calls truly saves lives and impacts health outcomes in communities across Colorado,” Cosby said. “We are the only health fair program that provides this service, and thanks to our team of highly skilled volunteer registered nurses and physicians, we are preventing health emergencies.”

9Health Fair promotes health awareness and encourages individuals to assume responsibility for their own health by offering free and low-cost health awareness and educational screenings.  Organized and delivered by volunteers, 9Health Fair also offers opportunities to talk with health professionals about health issues affecting their lives.  While some screening results are immediately available at the fair, detailed blood results and explanations are mailed to participants within six weeks of their participation.

In 2006, 87,524 9Health Fair participants took advantage of our celebrated 31-component Blood Chemistry screening, a $400-$600 value, which analyzes major organ functions, including liver and kidney, thyroid (TSH), total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, calcium, glucose and more.  In addition, 23,412 men 40 or older choose to have a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening, and 21,459 individuals utilized Colon Cancer screening take home kits.  1,714 participants received Pap smears, with 6 percent receiving automatic Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) screenings based on their abnormal results.  Also, 17,314 participants qualified and received the Finger Stick Glucose screening, with almost 20 percent reporting higher than normal glucose levels.

The new 9Health Fair Blood Count and Cardio Risk Assessment screenings were also popular this year.  The Blood Count screening analyzes red and white blood cell levels and was available for the first time at 60 9Health Fair sites and attracted 19,462 participants.  The Cardio Risk Assessment screening, which helps determine people’s heart attack risk in the next 10 years, saw 4,909 participants.

“People throughout the state have repeatedly demonstrated that they care about each other and their health,” Cosby said, “and Colorado should be proud that it is home to the largest volunteer and community driven health fair in the country.”

For additional information about the impact 9Health Fair has made in communities across Colorado, please contact 303-698-4455 or 1-800-332-3078, or visit www.9healthfair.org.

About 9Health Fair
9Health Fair promotes health awareness and encourages individuals to assume responsibility for their own health.  Created by a National Institutes of Health physician, 9Health Fair is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and has earned unique endorsements from the Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Nurses Association and is supported by the Colorado Health and Hospital Association.  As Colorado’s largest community health fair program, and the largest community health, wellness and prevention effort in the nation, since 1980, 9Health Fair has helped save thousands of lives by providing free and low-cost health screenings and educational programs.

 9Health Fair relies on sponsorship funding and grants to sustain its operations. Major sponsors for the 2006 9Health Fair include 9NEWS, UniPath, Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care Division, Quest Diagnostics, LaraBar, The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, Dex Media, The Cherry Creek Sneak and King Soopers.