Community health fair screening of cardiovascular disease risk factors among a multi-ethnic sample: Are we reaching our target population?

Community health screenings afford the opportunity for the detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors as well as prevention in underserved populations. Yet, few studies have examined whether high risk populations participate in health screenings. The purpose of this study is to: (1) examine the rates of uninsured participants and participants without primary care providers and (2) to assess ethnic differences in CVD risk factors. Attendees of an annual health expo held in Washington, DC were recruited into the cross-sectional study. A total of 433 participants received free health screenings. The sample consisted of African Americans (47%), Caucasians (32%), Asians (8%), Latinos (5.5%), and Native Americans (2.5%). Only 28% were District residents and 13% reported having no health care coverage. Nineteen percent did not have a primary care provider and 27.5% reported that they had not been seen by a physician in the past year. While there were no ethnic differences with regards to access to healthcare, Latinos were least likely to have health insurance coverage (x² = 37.20; p = .001). African Americans were more likely to be overweight or obese (x² = 30.41; p < .001) and to have an elevated systolic blood pressure (x² = 15.43; p <.001). However, 85% of those with elevated systolic blood pressure were receiving treatment for hypertension prior to the health screening. The need for effective marketing and recruitment strategies to target the underinsured and underserved communities in the metropolitan area is highlighted.