| The purpose of this study is to assess how health insurance influences a person’s decision to participate in local community health fairs. Individuals who had their blood drawn for preventive and monitoring reasons at three Idaho State University sponsored community health fairs were asked to partake in a three-page survey. These health fairs provided clinical blood work for 71 patients in the Challis health fair, 41 in Meridian health fair, and 323 in the Pocatello health fair. Survey data was gathered from Challis (n=22), Meridian (n=34), and Pocatello
(n=109) participants for a 31%, 83%, and 34% response rate respectively. This survey gathered each participant’s demographic education, and health insurance information. Data was also gathered regarding their perception of health fairs, and purpose of participation. The surveys were analyzed to determine if health care insurance played a role in the decision to participate in the local health fairs. The data demonstrated that the majority of health fair participants (92%) carry health insurance. Participants in health care are also educated with 30% having earned a high school degree, 10 percent an associate level degree, 28% a bachelor’s level degree, and 22% a graduate level degree. The data suggests that the affordability of reduced-cost health monitoring, and not access or insurance coverage, was the primary indicator of community health fair participation.
KEY WORDS: Community health fairs, Health insurance, Medical Laboratory Science |