Dr. Ervin Fox principal investigator with the RURAL Health Study speaks to Partnership 7th graders about diabetes and its impacts on health.
As part of National Diabetes Month in November, our partners with the Mississippi RURAL Health Study (Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal Study) hosted a Health Fair for our 7th grade students at Partnership Middle School focused on diabetes and its relation to heart disease. Students participated in a variety of activities designed to educate them about the disease and raise awareness about prevention strategies.
Dr. Ervin Fox, principal investigator for the study, along with his team led demonstrations in CPR, taking an ECHO image of the heart, and the finger stick test for blood glucose/sugar. Students also saw 3D models and talked with researchers about the health impacts and causes of diabetes. They were also able to take home a goodie bag filled with more information.
The RURAL Health Study is a NIH Funded Cohort Study involving 16 institutions nationwide focusing on answering the question: "Why those living in rural areas die of heart, lung and blood disorders out of proportion to those living in urban areas." The team recruited over 1300 participants in Oktibbeha and Panola Counties between the ages of 25 to 64 to receive comprehensive examinations in a Mobile Exam Unit and to participate fully in the RURAL Study cohort. The funding also includes additiona community engagement in participating counties to encourage health awareness, health education, and to disseminate relevant findings from the study that can be used to further improve health conditions of communities participating in the study. Results of the study were used to inform the activities and information available to Partnership students.
Thank youth Dr. Fox and the RURAL study team for sharing this important learning experience with our students.
