Access to healthcare services is critical to good health, yet rural residents face a variety of access barriers.Ideally, residents should be able to conveniently and confidently access services such as primary care, dental care, behavioral health, emergency care, and public health services. 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
• Life expectancy

 The Carlisle County Extension FCS program partnered with the Carlisle County Senior Center and Purchase District Health Department to coordinate a Community Heath Fair to target Senior Citizens to increase awareness of access points for healthcare.  This was a first time partnership for planning and hosting a community health fair.  The initial results was 39 participants learned about health resources located within the county and region.  There were 23 healthcare and health resource organizations with 27 volunteers. 30 participants received well check services like BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose and weight. Every participant received information about health eating and sampled Plate It Up Kentucky Proud recipes.