Students Serving the Underserved
Awareness and education can go a long way in preventing many health
care problems. That is the message IUSM students delivered to Indianapolis
inner-city residents needing medical attention during a health fair
late last fall.
It was the sixth year the students have sponsored the event at
the Westside Community Health Center in the Haughville area, just
west of the IU Medical Center campus. Students worked under the
supervision of IU physicians and faculty.
The fair coincided with National Primary Care Week, which advocates
the importance of health care and brings health professionals together
to serve those with limited or no access to care. Students at IU
medical education centers in Terre Haute and South Bend sponsored
similar events in their communities.
This year’s event, organized by the Internal Medicine Student
Interest Group, included immunizations for adults and information
on pediatric immunizations, and blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol
checks. Information about colorectal cancer, prostate health, osteoporosis,
smoking cessation, breast cancer, poison control, consumer safety
and nutrition also were available.
The Indianapolis medical students were joined by their counterparts
at the IU schools of nursing, dentistry, health and rehabilitation
sciences and social work.
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