West AHEC sponsors community health education events designed to address specific health issues and help community members become better informed. These initiatives include:

Women's Health Forum

Held each spring, this annual event is offered to educate women about various women's health topics. Previous programs have included stress management, depression, osteoporosis, and heart disease. The program's format includes presentations by healthcare professionals and topic related education exhibits.

World's Greatest Baby Shower

Designed for expectant mothers and new parents, this educational program increases awareness of important health issues in an effort to promote healthy pregnancy and healthy children. In partnership with other community organizations the World's Greatest Baby Shower events are offered in the following nine counties: Caldwell, Christian, Hancock, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Todd, Union and Webster. The program's format includes presentations by area healthcare professionals, local community health educators and others. Educational topics include breastfeeding, car seat safety, oral healthcare, and nutrition.

Oral Health Education

West AHEC helps provide oral health education to children and their families in our 14 county western Kentucky service area. This includes participation in community health fairs, back-to-school events, and classroom presentations. Topics covered include proper brushing and flossing. As part of each presentation, oral healthcare supplies are provided for all participants.

Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls

In partnership with the Hopkins County Health Department, West AHEC facilitates Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls coaches trainings and community member classes. The Matter of Balance program is designed to reduce fear of falling and increase activity level among older adults who manifest this concern. Trained facilitators conduct eight two-hour sessions designed for groups of 10-12 participants. Program participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, find ways to change the environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase muscle strength, balance, and flexibility.

For more information contact Jamie Knight at jknight@trover.org or at P: 270.824.3418 | 800.357.8801, F: 270.824.3457