Houston Health Department to host community health fairs throughout the year
The Houston Health Department and the Ibn Sina Foundation are partnering to provide free or low-cost vaccinations, health screenings, and education.
A series of community health fairs are being hosted across the City of Houston throughout the year. The Houston Health Department and the Ibn Sina Foundation are partnering to provide free or low-cost vaccinations, health screenings, and education.
Some residents will get access to healthcare resources in their own neighborhoods. Twelve community “health improvement” fairs are being organized through the health department’s Community Assistance and Transition Care of Houston Initiative (CATCH). Six zip codes, including 77022, 77093, 77016, 77026, 77028, and 77076 were identified as areas where health attention is needed the most.
“We find that these zip codes or the zip codes that often perhaps don’t have the transportation to go, they kind of shied away,” said Dr. Jennifer Garza, the health department Staff Analyst “But if it’s based in their own community, it’s more accessible, if you will, than for me to try to figure out where I need to go for each individual service.”
Garza said diabetes, hypertension and HIV are some of the health issues within those zip codes where attention needs to be focused on.
A fair at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center at 4802 Lockwood Drive, is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants can register online or at the event. While there, residents can receive COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, free screenings for diabetes and blood pressure, oral health and hygiene assessments, training for mental health, and referrals to get cancer and mammogram screenings.
Garza said the health department wanted the community to feel comfortable by bringing the resources into their space.
“When you bring (resources) there, it’s not done, such if you will, in a clinical setting, but in their own community setting, which, to me, helps and allows them to feel more at ease and comfortable,” she said. “A lot of the individuals will recognize this, especially where the latest one is being held at the Kashmere MSC, so they will feel more at ease.”
The organizations said each fair will be tailored to fit the health needs of the community where the event is taking place and they will ensure health professionals are focusing on each individual’s health needs and concerns.
“This is a health fair, that is for individuals of all ages, not just older, not just younger; for everyone,” said Garza.
Participants will also get the opportunity to enroll in medical benefits that include Harris Health Gold Card, SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare and Women, and Infants and Children benefits (WIC). Residents are being asked to provide items such as an identification or passport, social security cards, utility bill or receipt, proof of income, and a current bank statement to see if they qualify for benefits.
“Building healthy lifestyle habits is essential to reducing the risk of developing cancer or Type 2 diabetes, both of which have a high incidence in these focus communities,” said Juan Alvarado, staff analyst with the department’s Harris County Area Agency on Aging, in a press release. “Our aim is to lower the incidence of cancer and diabetes in our communities and empower residents to take control of their health.”