Health Circus
Health Circus, a traveling health fair designed to serve the surrounding counties of the Brazos Valley, is a student organized partnership between healthcare providers to improve the quality of life for children and adults by focusing on preventative medicine, insurance coverage, and a positive outlook on healthcare.
Currently, the state of Texas ranks 43rd in the nation in the number of preschool-aged children fully immunized, and about 21% of the state's children are uninsured. In the Brazos Valley, 67% of residents defer seeking medical care because of the cost of healthcare. Furthermore, Burleson, Grimes, and Leon Counties have been designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas.
In the spring of 2002, two students from the Texas A&M College of Medicine met with United Way Brazos Valley representatives to discuss these healthcare issues and how students can make a difference in the local community. As a result, Health Circus was born.
Since then, A&M College of Medicine students have been working with great dedication to make this project possible. Currently, students serve on the finance, publicity, clown, immunization and services committees to organize each event. We are eagerly anticipating an even greater involvement in the coming months as the project grows. We look forward to working with many individuals in the community and hope to make this project an integrated effort.
Here's what we normally offer at Health Circus events:
- Free Immunizations and Health Child Screenings
- Free Dental Screenings
- Free Blood Pressure and Glucose Checks for adults
- Free balloon animals, face painting, popcorn, games, and moonwalk
- Free door prizes
- Free health information from local organizations (usually the Rape Crisis Center, Early Childhood Intervention, MADD, WIC, Scotty's House, etc.
For more information about Health Circus, contact: Rachel Hohlt at rkhohlt@medicine.tamhsc.edu
