Knock, knock... Can I draw your blood?
Okay, it won't go like that.. but I was so struck by this idea that I was THRILLED when the bosses told me I could cover the story.
It's actually about 1pm and I have to fly to an interview for this story.. so this blog will be short. Um, actually they are never really "short".. how about shortER!
This link gives you the basic info on what the state wants to do:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/heart_stroke/wahs.htm
This is the press release from the state which gives you all kind of background information on the project, including the additonal states doing it and what they hope to accomplish.
Adult health survey gets to the heart of health in Washington
Statewide program takes ‘health fair’ to the homes of more than 1,000 people
Think of it as a personalized health fair — but instead of leaving your home, nurses and other health-care professionals show up at your door to offer a variety of health screenings. And they even pay you for participating.
Over the next 10 months, the Washington Adult Health Survey team will visit households in about 19 counties to screen about 1,100 people for heart disease and diabetes. “We are literally taking the pulse of the state,” said Dr. Juliet VanEenwyk, State Epidemiologist for Non-Infectious Conditions. “Washington has never taken-on a survey of this kind. We hope to have a good snapshot of the health of people in our state in about a year.”
Households will be chosen based on demographics to assure a representative mix of the people in our state. The team will begin working at the end of the month and can be recognized by their bright yellow vests. They will carry photo identification and identify themselves as part of the Washington Adult Health Survey team.
In 2004, more than 15,000 state residents died of heart disease or stroke and 1,500 died from diabetes. The number of people dying from heart disease has been declining, but the number of deaths from diabetes has been increasing since the mid-1990s. Deaths reflect only a small portion of the overall impact of heart disease, stroke and diabetes on the public. In 2005, about one-quarter of adults in a statewide telephone survey reported being diagnosed with high blood pressure and more than one-third of those tested for blood cholesterol were told they had high cholesterol. High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Similar county-level data are available online for selected counties (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2006_news/docs/HealthSurveyCounties.pdf) with communities participating in the Washington Adult Health Survey.
About half of those to be surveyed as part of the Adult Health Survey will also be screened for mercury. High levels of mercury are known to cause a variety of health problems, including developmental problems in babies who are exposed in the womb. Some studies suggest mercury may contribute to heart disease in older adults.
The department conducts regular telephone surveys, but this new survey will provide much more information. Washington is one of three states (the others are Kansas and Arkansas) participating in the project which is funded by a special grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
People who participate in the Washington Adult Health Survey will be asked to complete questionnaires that ask about foods they eat, their overall health and the medicines they take. A nurse will take blood pressure and pulse readings and take height, weight and waist measurements. A blood test will measure cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Hair testing for mercury levels will be done for women of childbearing age and everyone age 60 and older.
People who participate in the survey will receive important information about their health, including whether they are at risk for diabetes or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Participants will also receive a $45 gift card. More information about the survey is available online (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/heart_stroke/wahs.htm) or at 1-888-438-2247. Participants will be selected to represent the state’s population; the department is not looking for volunteers.
Would you participate in a survey like this?? Why or why not?! Email me: sstricklen@kgw.com
From previous stories:
Jan wrote asking if my interest in the morning sickness story might be because I'm pregnant.. You know, looking back at it I can totally see how it would look like that. Nope, not "preggers" as my friend Kim calls it... but I promise you my bedside will have raisins and saltines all over it if I do get pregnant! :-)
Chuck wrote: Hi,Stephanie, I appreciated your story today on how excessive heat can effect those that take medication. I take several medications that have the potential to negatively effect my body if I experience too much heat. The story was well done and well edited. Thank you very much.
