North Carolina, Raleigh – The non-profit organization, El Centro Hispano (ECH) will carry out Tuesday, March 22 to Friday, March 25 the Annual Health Fair in Raleigh.
Paola Rodríguez, manager of the Community Health department of El Centro Hispano, informed Enlace Latino NC that more than 30 organizations will participate in the fair each day, from Tuesday to Friday.
All scheduled activities are free and open to the public. Services will be offered four days between 2:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon, in front of the International supermarket Food at Villa Latina Plaza, 421 Chapanoke Road, Raleigh, NC.
“We want to promote health in our Latin community. Give it the importance it deserves, and that we can take advantage of the fact that we have all these agencies that want to help us,” stated Rodríguez.
Agencies, health centers and other entities - public and private - will offer free preventive checkups, such as taking blood pressure and blood sugar. There will also be talks on healthy habits and preventive practices.
In addition, HIV and sexually transmitted disease tests, flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Information will also be provided about MEDICAID and MEDICARE, health plans and medical coverage, nutrition and physical education.
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Raise awareness about taking care of your health
The objective of the organizers, said Rodríguez, is to “promote preventive health practices; and raise awareness about the importance of taking care of our health, especially in our community.”
In addition, connect the population with the free or low-cost health resources and services that different entities offer to Latino residents.
Rodríguez recalled that “our community has the habit of seeking help or health resources when we already have a problem.”
“We always say, for example, that it is important to eat healthy, but do we do it? Do we practice it?” We don't talk about health until we need to,” said the ECH official.
Rodríguez reported that El Centro Hispano will have the support of almost 50 collaborators, mostly certified health promoters, distributed in teams and work shifts, to attend the fair during the four days.
In addition, the agencies will join in with their support staff.
“This is a very good opportunity to connect and learn a little better about the services and agencies that are around our area, that speak our language and serve our community,” Rodríguez pointed out.
Information and better services at the El Centro Hispano health fair in Raleigh
This year, the Annual ECH Health Fair will feature a mobile unit from the National Institute of Health (NIH); By the way, they are developing nationwide research on the needs of different ethnic groups.
The ECH Community Health department has been collaborating with the NIH's effort to gather information to create a database with timely and accurate information about the Latino community in the United States.
“They are making stops in different states. "They are going to have a bus during the days of the fair, to collect biological evidence from people."
The research aims to generate inputs so that health authorities can make better decisions; as well as direct resources and strengthen the provision of services to different ethnic groups.
Family activities
At the Annual Health Fair of El Centro Hispano in Raleigh, local Latino businesses and enterprises will also participate. They will have food and craft stalls, with the aim of involving all family members.
The agenda, Rodríguez confirmed to Enlace Latino NC, includes food, music, raffles, cultural and sports presentations, as well as consultations and legal services.
If you want to participate or require more information, you can contact the Community Health department of El Centro Hispano in Raleigh at telephone number (984) 208-2158.
“The primary invitation is to all non-profit organizations and health and human services entities to offer free or low-cost services; or direct or offer resources during the health fair,” Rodríguez said.
To continue moving forward with preventive health programs in the triangle area, collaborators from the ECH Community Health department will also take advantage of the activity to make their work visible and raise funds.
Anyone interested in collaborating or participating in the 2022 El Centro Hispano Health Fair in Raleigh can do so by visiting this link.
“We have quite a few health promoters and we want to keep them in our community; that's why we also want to take the opportunity to make our department and our organization known,” concluded Rodríguez.
