DECATUR - A healthy dose of information on diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments was available Saturday.

While at the 10th annual community health fair sponsored by Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Anita Hill admitted she hadn't been to a doctor in a while.

"I had my cholesterol checked, and it was low," she said while sitting next to her husband, Kenneth, who got a free screening to check his cholesterol level and blood pressure at the fair.

As the air released from the blood pressure cuff around Matilda Foster Beasley's arm, she was pleased to know her blood pressure was 122 over 64. A normal blood pressure is about 120/80.

"I came down to support the health fair and get all the information they had to offer," she said.

Wole Adeoye, owner of Victory Pharmacy and head of the health care ministry at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, made sure local health agencies were there to provide free screenings, and local doctors spoke about certain health issues.

"We believe prevention is the best thing to do. Many times, people don't realize that they have health issues until it's too late," Adeoye said. "If you know ahead of time, then you can do something to take care of yourself and live a good, quality life."

Dr. Venita Edwards Talley with Wabash Memorial Hospital on North Water Street, said she sees too many patients who wait until they have symptoms before coming to her.

She mentioned how more than 23 million people in the United States have diabetes.

Knowing the symptoms is key, Talley said, such as being fatigued, frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger and unexplained weight loss.

She said diabetes can be controlled by eating more vegetables, proteins such as chicken, fish or turkey and lots of fruits.

She recommended using sweetener substitutes, such as Splenda and Truvia.

Paula Coate, a registered nurse who was at the health fair doing blood pressure checks, agreed that many problems are triggered because of a lack of a good diet, saying, "Some people can easily lose weight by cutting out table salt and drinking more water."

"There are no symptoms for kidney disease," explained Dr. Mohammed Dawood during his presentation. "Urine and blood tests done by the physician will tell you if there is a problem."

The prevention services with the Community Health Improvement Center also had a table loaded with information on HIV/AIDS.

Christine Harrison with CHIC noted there are more than 27,000 reported cases of HIV/AIDS among African-Americans in Illinois and more than 54,000 HIV/AIDS cases among all races statewide.

The Rev. Kenneth Knox with CHIC said that in a recent issue of Real Health Magazine, it was noted that AIDS is the No. 1 killer of black women between the ages of 24 and 35.

Alicia Fisher, a high school peer educator, was one of the youths who sat at a Planned Parenthood table handing out information on sexually transmitted diseases and birth control. "We want to let teens and older people having sex to know about having safer sex and the option of using birth control," she said.

Macon County has a 21 percent rate of teen pregnancies, higher than the state average of 16 percent, said Becky Hugo, peer education coordinator with Planned Parenthood.

Those at the health fair also got an update about Medicare coverage, as letters start arriving this month describing changes and options.

"Read it and understand what it says (about Medicare Part D prescription drug plans) and what is offered in certain counties, because it's not being offered everywhere," Adeoye told his audience.

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