The public is invited to a free community health fair at Watkin Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 800 S. Juniper St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 17.
Health fair chairman James Mazique, a registered nurse at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, along with other health care professionals will conduct the annual project.
“The objective of the health fair is to provide crucial health care services to those in need who may be unable to afford them otherwise, detect health care issues not previously diagnosed and prevent others from having to cope with the struggles of having health issues,” Mazique said in a news release.
The health fair will include a free electrocardiogram (EKG), sign up for mammograms, Heart Attack Risk Assessment, HIV testing, a blood draw for prostate screening, oral care, weight balance test, blood type test, sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and detection.
Confidential charts will be provided for community members who attend. These will show parameters for the measurement for each test. The health care professional will also provide exit counseling to the participant.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Participating health care agencies will include: Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Nursing, Arkansas Heart Hospital and ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency.)
“The goal is to help our community by being preventive and proactive. If we are able to diagnose existing or possibly future problems we are saving our community thousands, possibly millions of dollars later in health care,” Mazique said.
“The lack of health insurance and costly health care are barriers that currently prevent many from receiving even the basics of services. Research shows that both chronic and acute health problems are extremely high among low-income. Our project goal is to encourage the maintenance of good health through health promotion, screening and prevention of illness,” he said.
The health fair is made possible through grants in part received from the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation. The event has been held for several years at Watkin Chapel church, which is more than 130 years old.