Community Fair encourages folks to make healthy choices

Community Fair encourages folks to make healthy choices

Screenings, information part of weekend gathering

news@theeveningtimes.com

Old timers remember it as the John Deere dealership building on East Broadway in West Memphis. Now it is home to Jet’Adore Beauty and Barbershop and Events center. The big old showroom was just the place Chychy Smith with the Arkansas Department of Health was looking to hold the first of its kind event in the county. Smith pulled together volunteers and nurses for the Arkansas Minority Barber and Beauty Shop Health Initiative for the Saturday fair.

The health fair offered a variety of basic health screenings and information. The event center floor at the hair care center was just the kind of place the initiative aimed for. “We did a study in 2009 that showed especially in the minority population doesn’t go to the doctor because they don’t have a relationship that they trust,” said Smith. “So we decided on a way to get health services and information out.

We also found many go to the barber shop or hairdresser weekly. We took this model from a successful effort in Indiana.”

By all accounts the initiative was a big success.

Registered participants walked in a steady stream and picked up a passport to health. Following a circuit around the floor each station had new information and a medical test. Results were given on the spot for blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, proper nutrition, height and weight and body fat index.

St. Bernard’s mobile mammogram unit provided testing for women. Information was given at each station with checks for understanding asked again a later station for follow-ups. Finally health concerns flagged by volunteers were addressed by a registered nurse from the county health unit and referrals given to medical providers.

T-shirts and a healthy lunch capped of the day.

Turkey or chicken wraps, with fresh fruit and dill pickles prepared by Custom Catering were offered for those that completed the passport to health.

By John Rech