Finding comprehensive care in Winston-Salem for uninsured health fair participants

Background: The "Share the Health Fair" is a free annual health fair, organized by Wake Forest medical students to serve the community with basic health screenings. With the current economic crisis affecting a greater number of individuals' health care coverage, further research is needed to understand what role health fairs play in the health care of the uninsured and to identify other public health options available for the uninsured in this area, so that diseases and conditions identified at health fairs can continue to be treated year-round.

Methods: The participants were 2008 health fair attendees that filled out demographic forms with contact information. Of these, 46 were successfully contact by phone and responded to a questionnaire that inquired about their opinion of the health fair, reasons for attending and the role of the health fair and other public health options in their health regimen.

Results: While 27% of participants had no health insurance, only 20% reported using the health department, local free clinics, CVS Minute Clinic, or other supplemental health care options, and only a third of these were uninsured individuals.

Conclusions: Many of the uninsured Winston-Salem citizens individuals do not use the other public health care options available in the community because they are unaware of the options or think that they fail to qualify due to income and other restrictions. With the data compiled and additional research, a funneling system questionnaire was designed to assist future health fair participants in finding a source of regular health care.