Read this article as it originally appeared on nj.com | localtalknews.com
A free Woman’s Health Fair will be held at the North Ward Center’s Family Success Center in Newark on Saturday, June 11, from noon to 4 p.m.
The event, which is being held in collaboration with the Newark Community Health Centers, is designed to provide information for community members about health-related issues.
The health fair will take place in the Family Success Center parking lot at 286 Mt. Prospect Avenue. It will feature a variety of free health screenings for breast cancer, diabetes, body mass index, blood pressure, HIV.
Juana Juana Ortiz, a resident of the North Ward Center, receives a screening from a staffer from the Newark Community Health Centers during last year's Health Fair.“The event is for the entire family,” said Vanessa Bohler, the director of Family Success Center. “We will have information that will be helpful to families as well as screenings for children. We’ll also have giveaways, face paintings and raffles. It will be a worthwhile and fun day for the entire family.”
Among the community resource vendors scheduled to attend the fair are Horizon NJ Health at Casa Israel Medical Adult Daycare Center, United Health, Division of Youth and Family Service, Newark Department of Child and Family Well Being, Newark Now Financial Empowerment Center, Essex County Welfare, New Jersey Regional Health Care, Family Intervention Services, Merit Medical, Mom2Mom and NJ Family Care.
Those who attend the event and do not have health insurance can receive a coupon for a free physical.
“Our goal is to encourage the community residents to take time out to focus on their health and wellness,” said Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center. “With the high incidents of breast and prostate cancer and heart disease, it’s crucial that our community become more proactive in obtaining the necessary screenings, such as yearly breast exams, glucose testing, mammogram and HIV and AIDS testing to ensure that any problems are detected early.”
Information will be given regarding healthy living, the importance of exercising, eating a nutritious diet, getting regular medical checkups and preventive screenings, avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking, practicing safe sex and families not understanding the importance of wearing a seatbelt and paying attention to mental health.
“It’s crucial to reach out to the community to offer these types of services. Due to the disparities of the effects of loss of employment, financial increase in health insurance and medication, many are not seeking medical attention that their families need,” Bohler said.
Those who do not have healthcare will be able to speak with Nilsa Santiago, a community outreach representative for Newark Community Health Centers. She can be reached at (973) 390-9469.
The Newark Community Health Center is one of six federally qualified health centers in Newark, East Orange, Orange and Irvington.
The North Ward Center's Family Success program started in June 2007 and is one of 32 such sites in the state. Family success centers are open to any member of the community seeking support, information, and services.
For more information please contact Vanessa Bohler at (973) 485-5723 or Nilsa Santiago.
