Health Fair Attendance Drops
Sonora, CA — 3,943 people took advantage of the $20 blood draw offered at this week’s Tuolumne County Health Fair, which is a decrease of five percent from last year. Overall attendance numbers have not yet been calculated, but officials say it will likely be well over 4,000.
Nurse RN Kathy Amos from the County Health Department hopes that residents did not stay away from the Health Fair because they were unable to afford the $20 blood draw fee. She notes that the Health Fair Committee is concerned about this, and says that scholarships are available for residents that are unable to afford the cost. The scholarships have been available for the past few years, and Amos hopes that financially strapped residents will better take advantage next year.
The attendance drop may also be related to additional health fairs becoming prominent in other counties. For example, Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital held a successful health fair on September 25th.
Despite the drop, Amos says this year’s fair was definitely a “great event” and showcased over 200 booth participants. It ran Tuesday and Wednesday at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.
