Clarian Brings “A Call to Change” Message to the Indiana Sta...

Submitted by Virginia W. Rodriguez

2007-08-08 00:00:00 - 2007-08-19 00:00:00

Clarian’s Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion and Clarian-sponsored attractions educate and encourage fairgoers to embrace a healthy lifestyle

INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosiers will have the opportunity to answer the empowering “A Call to Change” message this year during the 2007 Indiana State Fair at the Clarian Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion. Clarian Health Promotions has completely redesigned and rededicated its attraction at the State Fair with a wealth of information encouraging individuals to take control of their health and make positive lifestyle changes.

After strolling the Midway amidst elephant ears, corn dogs and deep-fried candy bars, fairgoers entering the Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion can take a journey through interactive exhibits designed to raise awareness of ways for everyone, from toddlers to seniors, to live a healthier lifestyle. The air-conditioned pavilion is on the southwest corner of the fairgrounds near Exhibition Hall and Gate 1, and is open daily (August 8-19) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Are You at Risk?

Every day of the fair, visitors can take advantage of blood pressure, cholesterol and prostate cancer screenings at no cost. To put the screening scores into context, one of the major attractions of the pavilion will be a simulated, walk-through artery, measuring 20 ft. long and more than 6 ft. tall.

Upon entry, the pulse of a healthy heart will welcome visitors. Midway through the artery, things will turn ugly as part of the educational exhibit represents an artery clogged with plague from years of poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, these characteristics are all too common in the lives of Indiana’s residents. Clogged arteries can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Warning signs are high cholesterol and high blood pressure, among others.

After visiting the clogged artery, visitors can also take a short, online assessment to find out if they might be at risk for heart disease using their screening scores. (For a complete list see the heading labeled "Health Screenings and Assessments" below.)

Another feature of the Are You at Risk? area is “Ask a Pharmacist.” Pharmacists from Methodist Medical Group will be on hand every day to answer questions about medications, complicated directions, side effects, combining medications and over-medication.

Learn and Live Well

At the Learn and Live Well Stage, Clarian-affiliated heath professionals and community partners will offer short educational seminars and Q&A sessions on Saturdays and Sundays as well as Opening day (Aug. 8) and Senior Day (Aug. 16). Topics for the sessions include heart health, causes of and treatment for joint and back pain, how to recognize asthma in kids, healthy aging, conflict resolution, and minimizing the risk of skin cancer. (For a complete list of presentations, see the heading labeled "Schedule of Events, Learn and Live Well Stage" below.)

On opening day of the fair, the Learn and Live Well Stage will feature a talk with Clarian Health President and CEO Daniel F. Evans, Jr., to discuss how fairgoers can answer the “call to change.” Local gardening expert Dick Crum will also give a presentation and demonstration on Senior Day, August 16, at noon.

The stage area will transform into a Pedestrian Safety Course on Kids Day at the Indiana State Fair, August 13th. The course, designed by Riley and the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Indianapolis, will highlight things kids need to know when walking around traffic. There will be a mock intersection for kids to practice what they’ve learned, and with back to school time just around the corner, the lessons couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. (The Pedestrian Safety Course is part of Riley’s Kids Dart, Drive Smart public service campaign. For more information, please visit ACallToChange.org.)

Every day of the fair, Clarian Health, community partners, awareness groups and not-for-profits will be staffing interactive exhibits with plenty of information for fairgoers who want to make healthier changes in their lifestyle and improve safety in their community.

The Riley Hospital for Children booth will be among the exhibits at the Healthy Lifestyle Pavilion and will emphasize the importance of hand washing, and will offer opportunities for kids to recognize and become more comfortable with common scenes from the hospital. (For a complete list of exhibitors, please contact Ryan Puckett at (rpuckett@clarian.org.)

After all this learning, patrons are encouraged to make a commitment to change by signing the “Wall of Change” with a personal or family pledge to a healthier lifestyle.

Get Active

The Get Active area of the pavilion created by Clarian Human Motion will provide family friendly activities and information to build and maintain healthy bones, joints, back/spine and muscles. Fairgoers are invited to play the Dance Dance Revolution game every day of the State Fair, participate in pilates and yoga demonstrations, learn new stretches, jump rope and twirl with a hula hoop. A variety of other physical assessments, including a fitness shoe assessment on both Saturdays, will take place on various days during the fair.

Riley Fun Park

This smoke-free family entertainment area is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kids ages three to 12 can learn where their food comes from at the Little Hands on the Farm exhibit.

The Kids Clubhouse, located in the Riley Fun Park, is one of the information booth sites for the Indiana State Fair Wonder Trail. The Wonder Trail provides adventure and learning for elementary and middle-school-age kids. The clogged artery exhibit in the Clarian Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion is one of 15 stops on the Wonder Trail. For more information, visit http:/in.gov/statefair/fair/education/familyfun.

First Lady Cheri Daniels’ Heartland Walk for Health

On Saturday, August 11, Clarian Cardiovascular teams up with Indiana First Lady Cheri Daniels for the Heartland Walk for Health. This two-mile fundraising walk helps to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women. At 11:00 a.m., the First Lady will be signing her cookbook of heart healthy recipes in the Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion.

But wait … there’s more

Saturday, August 18, is Clarian Health Day at the Fair. All State Fair employees will be wearing Clarian Health shirts with the web site ACallToChange.org where visitors get information to help all Hoosiers live longer and more dynamic lives.

For all dance enthusiasts, the Clarian Dance for Health Stage will be the place to watch Indiana cloggers, tap dancers, cultural dancers, ballroom professionals and many more dance their way to good health.

Clarian-sponsored trash barrels throughout the fair grounds remind fairgoers: “Getting healthy is not a waste.”

###

About Clarian Health

Clarian Health Partners Inc. is an Indiana-based, private, non-profit organization, offering a broad base of tertiary services, specialized pediatric care provided by Riley Hospital for Children and a Level 1 Trauma Center. Clarian is Indiana's largest, most comprehensive health center and is one of the busiest hospital systems in the nation. Clarian employs nearly 13,000 employees and owns or is affiliated with 17 hospitals and health centers throughout Indiana, including five in Greater Indianapolis: Methodist and Indiana University hospitals, Riley Hospital for Children, Clarian West Medical Center and Clarian North Medical Center. Clarian Health Partners' mission is to improve the health of patients and the community through innovation and excellence in care, education, research and service. To fulfill its mission, Clarian uses the combined resources of its institutions and partnering organizations and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, which is the nation's second largest medical center and a national leader in medical education and research. Clarian Health Partners Inc. operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law.

Schedule of Events, Learn and Live Well State:

Wednesday, August 8

10:00-10:45 AM A Call To Change

Featuring Daniel J. Evans, Jr.

President and CEO, Clarian Health

11:00-11:45 AM Managing Heart Failure

12:00-12:45 PM Recognizing Asthma in Kids

1:00-1:45 PM Warning Signs of Stroke

2:00-2:45 PM Surgical Weight Loss Options

3:00-3:45 PM Joint Pain Causes and Treatments

4:00-4:45 PM Skin Cancer

Saturday, August 11

10:00-10:45 AM Prevention of Heart Disease

11:00-11:45 AM Book Signing

by the First Lady of Indiana Cheri Daniels

12:00-12:45 PM Warning Signs of Stroke

1:00-1:45 PM Women and Heart Disease

2:00-2:45 PM Back Pain Causes and Treatments

3:00-3:45 PM Prostate Cancer

4:00-4:45 PM Injury Prevention in Sports

Sunday, August 12

10:00-10:45 AM Bike Safety

11:00-11:45 AM Surgical Weight Loss Options

12:00-12:45 PM Organ Donation

1:00-1:45 PM Seizures: Latest Treatments Offer Hope

2:00-2:45 PM Tobacco Education

3:00-3:45 PM Knee Joint Pain

4:00-4:45 PM Healthy Relationships

Thursday, August 16 (Senior Day)

10:00-10:45 AM Warning Signs of Stroke

11:00-11:45 AM What is a Geriatrician and Why do we need them?

12:00-12:45 PM Gardening and You

Featuring Dick Crum “Dr. Dirt”

1:00-1:45 PM Latest Treatment in Arthritis Care

2:00-2:45 PM Colon Cancer

3:00-3:45 PM Maintaining a Healthy Heart

4:00-4:45 PM Healthy Aging

Saturday, August 18 (Clarian Health Day)

10:00-10:45 AM Poison Safety in the Home

11:00-11:45 AM Surgical Weight Loss Options

12:00-12:45 PM Understanding Sleep Disorders

1:00-1:45 PM Tips for a Happy Baby

2:00-2:45 PM Joint Pain Prevention in Feet

3:00-3:45 PM High Risk Breast Cancer

4:00-4:45 PM IMPACT: The Dangers of Drug and Alcohol Use

5:00-5:45 PM Latest Treatments in Low Back Pain

Sunday, August 19

10:00-10:45 AM Recognizing Asthma in Kids

11:00-11:45 AM Surgical Weight Loss Options

12:00-12:45 PM Avoiding the E.R.

1:00-1:45 PM Warning Signs of Stroke

2:00-2:45 PM Heart Health and your Diet

3:00-3:45 PM Diabetes has many Faces—Is Yours One?

4:00-4:45 PM Conflict Resolution

Screenings:

Wednesday, August 8

Blood Pressure by Clarian Health Promotions