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MOUNT VERNON — Knox Pages readers are curious about the trailers that are at Ariel-Foundation Park.
According to biomedical equipment specialist Blake Patchen, the trailers are part of the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
“All of that [survey] data gets compiled and used by the Health and Human Services and NIOSH for future studies, changing and helping with health policies,” Patchen said.
The survey topics change every few years.
“We’re doing a hearing exam right now, but we’re only testing from ages 12 to 44,” Patchen explained. “That’s mostly to see if there’s a correlation with hearing loss and people wearing headphones and earbuds all the time.”
Patchen said surveys can include a physical exam, questions, or both, depending on the survey’s focus.
“The survey has been going on since the late ’60s. It’s what was partially responsible for getting lead out of paint since they found a lot of concentration of lead in blood and urine samples,” he said.
“Also birth charts for kids, the kids’ growth chart, and taking body measurements for making recommendations with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) about seat requirements and how big some some can be.”
Gathering health data for future studies
Patchen and his team arrived in early October. The survey continues until mid-December. Other teams are spread out throughout the country.
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts the surveys. NCHS randomly pre-selects individuals to participate in the survey. Screenings are free.
“The Department of Health does some sort of statistical analysis and says these are the areas we want you to try to recruit people from. They’ll come do the exams, and all of that data gets compiled and sent back so that they use it for future studies or for current studies,” Patchen said.
The team is seeing a 75-percent turnout thus far. Participants are not limited to Knox County.
“The goal is to see at least 25 residents a week, if not more,” Patchen said.
“We’re typically here Tuesday through Saturdays, anywhere from as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 6, 6:30 p.m. by appointment.”
According to park manager Mike Miller, NHANES paid $1,000 to use the parking lot. Additionally, the agency installed nearly $6,000 in electrical upgrades to the lot and agreed to plow it if it snows.
