January 18, 2002

Additional Federal FundingWill Allow WKU
To Expand Services Provided To Rural Areas
By Mobile Health Unit

Bowling Green, Ky. - An additional $500,000 in federal funding will allow Western Kentucky University to expand its mobile health service to rural areas.

The Mobile Health and Wellness Unit began services in Edmonson County on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

McConnell (R-Ky.) secured the initial $670,000 congressional appropriation for WKU's rural health initiative along with the $500,000 that was part of $5.1 million in federal appropriations for Western projects approved by Congress in December.

"I am proud to have worked with Western Kentucky University to make this project a reality," Sen. McConnell said. "The mobile health clinic will provide vital preventative health care services to the families of rural Kentucky. I applaud WKU for its continued commitment to improving the lives of Kentuckians."

The unit, which initially is serving the 10-county Barren River Area Development District, removes the barriers of health care accessibility, availability and affordability faced by many rural Kentuckians.

The Mobile Health and Wellness Unit provides medical and dental screenings for rural residents, enhances the accessibility of preventive health services and health education programs in rural areas and provides training for Western students.

Since its November unveiling in Morgantown, the unit has provided dental services and health screenings in Butler and Warren counties. The additional funding will allow the unit to continue operations for the next fiscal year and increase the number of weekly outings. The unit also is scheduled to visit Allen and Simpson counties.

"Our students and faculty will become engaged in community based learning experiences while providing much needed preventative services and other health promotion activities to the most needy," said Dr. David Dunn, director of WKU's School of Health and Human Services.

According to the 2000 Census and other reports, 16.3 percent of Kentucky's rural residents have no health insurance and 85 of the state's 120 counties are classified as medically underserved areas.

Funding for the rural health unit was part of $5.1 million in federal appropriations obtained in the fiscal year 2002 budget for WKU projects through the efforts of Sen. McConnell as well as Rep. Ron Lewis (R-Ky.).

Other funding approved by Congress includes $1.2 million for waste management research, $500,000 for a juvenile delinquency initiative, $1 million for foreign journalist training, $100,000 for work at Lost River Cave, $500,000 for educational technology training, $500,000 for the Kentucky Emergency Medical Services Academy, $300,000 for Healthy Farm Families Initiative and $500,000 for rural water program. Western also is participating with the universities of Kentucky and Louisville in a $3.5 million appropriation to Fort Knox for a battlefield technology research partnership.

"We are grateful for the confidence Sen. McConnell has placed in Western Kentucky University," President Gary Ransdell said. "This funding will help us continue to provide essential services to our region while providing our students and faculty with opportunities to conduct relevant research and practical training. This kind of support is essential to our mission of becoming the best comprehensive university in Kentucky and among the best in the nation and we sincerely appreciate Sen. McConnell's leadership in making it happen."

The Mobile Health and Wellness Unit, which cost $267,000, is part of a rural health initiative by Western's Institute for Rural Health Development and Research. The institute is located in the School of Health and Human Services.

The handicapped-accessible unit has two examination rooms with X-ray and laboratory functions and a waiting area. Other features include heating and air conditioning, a television/VCR, a stereo/CD system, microwave, refrigerator, portable toilet, telephone and data hookups and a retractable awning.

"Many rural Kentuckians have no health insurance or live in underserved communities creating regions where families are in perpetual health decline," said Staci Simpson, director of the Institute for Rural Health Development and Research. "It is our ultimate goal to enhance accessibility to health screenings and education for those who have traditionally not been able to receive these services. We will create a bridge for families to receive further services through collaboration with other health care organizations and agencies."

More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

Western Kentucky University Institute for Rural Health Development and Research Rural Health Initiative (Mobile Health Unit) Fact Sheet

Western Kentucky University's Mobile Health Unit will expand existing health care services to rural communities and remove the barriers of accessibility, availability and affordability for rural residents. Many rural Kentuckians are underinsured or have no health insurance (16.3 percent, according to 2000 Census figures) and live in counties classified as medically underserved areas (85 of 120 counties).

Using a mobile health unit, WKU will provide medical/dental screenings and health promotion/education activities to the uninsured with the expected benefits being:

The mobile unit, which cost $267,000, has two examination rooms with X-ray, lab and health screening equipment along with a waiting room and areas to store equipment and supplies. The unit was made possible by a $670,000 congressional appropriation secured by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Operations will continue and expand thanks to another $500,000 secured by Sen. McConnell. A generator powers the unit's medical/dental functions, a heating and air conditioning system, water, phone, data, television, stereo/CD player, microwave, refrigerator.

Medical and dental screenings will be offered as well as immunizations, physicals and health promotion/education activities, including tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, weight control, healthy lifestyle choices and others.

The scope of services include (but are not limited to) screenings such as hypertension, diabetes, men’s health (PSA), testicular screening, pap smear/breast screening, basic lab tests (lipids), vision, scoliosis, speech, dental screenings, TB skin tests, sexually transmitted diseases. Other proposed services include health education/health promotion; well child checks; school physicals; sports physicals; suicide, depression and abuse screenings and education; and child safety seat inspections.

The mobile health unit's targeted service area initially will be a portion of the 10-county Barren River Area Development District, but Western's service will not be limited to this geographic region. Initially, the mobile unit will make two eight-hour outings each week during academic periods (fall, spring and summer sessions) and will serve at least two clients per hour.

The unit, which already has provided dental screenings and health care services in Butler and Warren counties, begins services in Edmonson County Jan. 18 and has visits planned for Allen and Simpson counties.

WKU Receives $5.1 Million In Federal Appropriations For FY2002

Congress has approved the fiscal year 2002 budget that include $5.1 million in federal funds obtained through the efforts of Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Ron Lewis for projects involving Western Kentucky University. This list provides brief details about each appropriation, the federal budget area and the primary legislative sponsor.

$1.2 million for waste management research: Continued funding for poultry waste project with Mississippi State University and a new project for cattle waste research; funding for both is likely to be continued in ’03 budget with an additional request. (Agriculture; Sen. Mitch McConnell)

$500,000 for juvenile delinquency initiative: A new WKU project to develop mental health assessment programs to help youths and their families, specialized after-school programs for youths, and structured day-time programs for youths who have been removed from school. (Commerce/Justice/State; McConnell)

$1 million for foreign journalist training program: Continued funding for International Journalism and Media Management Program. (Foreign Operations; McConnell)

$100,000 for Lost River Cave: A new project to improve storm water treatment and expand navigable waters inside Lost River Cave. (Energy & Water; Lewis)

$500,000 for Technology Innovation Challenge Program: The continuing "e-train express" project partners with 28 school districts to train teachers to use computer technology in the classroom. (Education/Labor/Health and Human Services; McConnell)

$500,000 for Rural Mobile Health Unit: Funding will allow WKU to expand medical and dental care to rural communities; project currently covering 10-county Barren River Area Development District service area. (Education/Labor/Health and Human Services; McConnell)

$500,000 for Kentucky Emergency Medical Services Academy: Continued funding to expand education and training programs. (Education/Labor/Health and Human Services; McConnell)

$300,000 for Healthy Farm Families initiative: New project will provide health information to elderly rural residents. (Education/Labor/Health and Human Services; McConnell)

$500,000 to Small Public Water System Technology Center: Continued funding to provide training and technical assistance to small rural water systems in partnership with the Kentucky Rural Water Association. (Veterans Affairs/Housing and Urban Development/EPA; McConnell)

***

$3.5 million to Fort Knox: WKU also is participating with UK and U of L on a research partnership on state-of-the-art technology for the battlefield. (Defense; McConnell, Rep. Ron Lewis)

-WKU-

 

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