Rural Americans face numerous health disparities compared with their urban counterparts. More than 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the U.S. population, live in rural areas as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Rural Americans are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke than their urban counterparts.

According to Healthy People 2020, access to healthcare is important for: overall physical, social, and mental health status, prevention of disease, detection and treatment of illnesses, quality of life, preventable death, and Life expectancy.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Fulton County has overseen the Banana Festival Health Fair for the past seven years. Since last years event there has been a 39% increase in community medical booth partners and this year’s event was the largest in the events history. Also 8 new specialty healthcare providers attended.

Throughout the 2-hour event, participants visited various booths where they could get health screenings for their eyes, BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, HIV, A1C, and blood oxygen, at no cost. Participants received information on various health topics, including various cancer prevention, diabetes, addiction help, mental health, health insurance, and smoking cessation.

Many participants stated that this was the best health fair they have ever attended. 67% of the participants said they would share information received with friends and relatives.