IRH in the Community
The IRH primarily offers services in the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD): Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren Counties. The IRH service area is home to 284,195 people[1] in mostly rural communities. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, the majority of the counties within the BRADD have higher poverty rates as compared to the state average of 17.7%. Additionally, the total number of adults who consider themselves to have less than good health is higher than the state average of 23%[2].
While the bulk of services are delivered within the BRADD, the IRH staff have also provided services in other areas of Kentucky, such as Christian, Grayson, Hardin, McCreary, Ohio, Pike, and Todd Counties. The IRH also delivers dental services annually in Belize, as part of a global service-learning project.
[1] 2010 population data from United States Census Bureau
[2] Kentucky Health Facts
IRH PATIENT NUMBERS FOR 2011-2012
Refugee Service Fair
On Saturday, March 16, 2013 the WKU Institute for Rural Health's Mobile Dental Health Unit (MDU) participated in the 2nd Annual Refugee Service Fair at Cumberland Trace Elementary School. With more than 1,200 English Learner students enrolled in Warren County Public Schools, the district has made the Refugee Services Fair an annual event. Students and their families enjoyed an opportunity to learn about services available to them in the community. Some of the services and informational opportunities provided at the service fair were: vision and hearing screenings, head start opportunities, library services, recreational activities, women's health, emergency services, nutrition information, and more. The Mobile Dental Unit set up in the parking lot at Cumberland Trace and provided free dental examinations, oral cancer screenings, and oral health education/consultation to 47 fair participants. The MDU was staffed by 2 dentists (Dr. Daniel Carter, Dr. Ashley Yaeger) and 2 dental hygienists (Bonny Petty and Eiman Al-Eissa).
Hispanic Health Fair
The Institute for Rural Health's Mobile Health Unit participated in the Hispanic Health Fair on Saturday, April 6th. With assistance from the WKU School of Nursing faculty and students, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screening services were provided to 48 members of the Hispanic community. The health screening services provided allowed the staff from the IRH to provide services in accordance with the mission of the IRH which includes providing clinical services to underserved populations and providing service learning opportunities for WKU students.
In addition, the Institute for Rural Health's Mobile Dental Health Unit partnered with the Dental Services Branch of the Barren River District Health Department to provide limited dental services to fair participants. Together the two organizations saw a total of 37 people: 22 adults received dental examinations and 15 children received cleanings and fluoride treatments in addition to dental examinations.
Translation services were provided by students from the WKU Modern Languages Department.
