October 7, 1999

KU Medical Center Will Invite Up To 250 People To Participate In A Respiratory

Health Medical Evaluation For the Southeast Kansas Health Study

 

Letters of invitation will be sent to residents in Chanute,

Coffeyville, Fredonia, Independence, and Sedan.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Up to 250 residents in the communities of Chanute, Coffeyville, Fredonia, Independence, and Sedan will receive letters this week inviting them to participate in a one-year respiratory health medical evaluation for the Southeast Kansas Health Study.  Commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and being conducted by The University of Kansas Medical Center, the health study is directed at investigating possible health effects related to the operation of four commercial hazardous waste burners and other emission sources located in southeast Kansas.

The respiratory health medical evaluation is designed to examine, during a one-year period, the effects of air quality on people who have a history of wheezing, asthma, or emphysema, according to H. William Barkman, M.D., director of the Center for Environmental and Occupational Health at KU Medical Center and principal investigator of the Southeast Kansas Health Study.  “Individuals invited to participate in the medical evaluation were randomly selected from a database built of individuals who responded to the recent health questionnaire we sent to residents in the five communities involved in the study, and from data collected on hospital emergency room visits in those communities for respiratory illness,” explained Barkman.

Individuals who agree to participate in the evaluation will be asked to read and sign a consent form, complete a health history (using an abbreviated form of a standard respiratory health questionnaire), undergo a brief physical examination (including a blood pressure check and listening to the heart and lungs), and undergo pulmonary function testing.  This medical evaluation will occur once at the beginning of the data collection year and again at the end of the year.

“We hope to begin the first evaluations by November 1,” Barkman reports.  “In order to meet that date, we are asking people to respond to our invitation as quickly as possible.”  For the convenience of those people invited to participate in the evaluation, a pre-addressed, stamped postcard, was enclosed with their letter.   

“Regardless of whether you decide to participate or not, please fill out and return the postcard letting us know of your decision,” emphasizes Barkman.  Individuals who indicate they wish to participate in the evaluation will be contacted regarding the scheduling of their first evaluation. 

KU Medical Center will use its mobile medical unit for the respiratory health medical evaluations.   The vehicle is a fully equipped medical unit that can be set up at remote sites.  It is outfitted with examining rooms, phlebotomy (blood drawing) capability, audiometry, mammography, X-ray, and pulmonary function equipment.  “It’s hard to miss,” Barkman says.  “The 53-foot trailer is red, white, and blue with a huge Jayhawk on either side and on the end of it.

Residents who have questions about the letters, the medical evaluation, or the study should call the Southeast Kansas Health Study project office at its toll-free number, 877/511-2167.  The e-mail address is mwalker3@kumc.edu.