Washington Parish residents of all ages are invited to take advantage of a free Health Fair at Hillcrest Baptist Church from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. Friday, July 30.
The big and comprehensive event features numerous screenings, immunizations against childhood diseases, inoculations for at-risk adults, and information on a wide range of health issues, including health insurance. Massages, nutritious snacks, vegetable seed packets and book bags for children in attendance will even be available.
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“It’s always been well-attended,” she said. “We are fortunate to have a good location, and we try to do it at the same time every year, so people can plan for it.”
The fair will feature hearing, vision, bone density, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, skin cancer and other screenings, plus mammograms. To ensure more accurate results, a 12-hour fast is recommended prior to glucose and cholesterol screenings. And appointments are required for mammograms, which can be booked by calling Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at 225-215-1234.
Immunizations, except for chicken pox, will be available to children, and Burton said it’s important that the child’s shot record is brought to assist in the determination of need. Additionally, at-risk adults will be able to get information about and inoculations against pneumonia and tetanus.
Besides being able to pick up information, people who attend the fair will have an opportunity to ask particular questions.
Clinical and hospital staff, plus DHH-Office of Public Health members will be on hand to answer questions on healthy lifestyles, including such topics as nutrition, maternity health, sexually transmitted diseases, senior services and emergency preparedness.
Burton said she expects Washington Parish President Richard Ned Thomas and Director of Emergency Preparedness Tommy Thiebaud to be available if not otherwise occupied.
Information will also be available on the WIC program, and applications for Medicaid, LaChip and Take Charge will be on-site, she said.
The Volunteers of America will offer 75 book bags to the first children who attend the fair, and drawings for door prizes donated by area businesses will take place every half hour.
“There really isn’t too much you can get for free any more,” Burton said. “We try to target those who do not have health insurance, but the Health Fair is open to all residents of Washington Parish. We’re real excited to be able to do this.”
The Washington Parish Council on Aging will provide free transportation to people aged 60 or older who call 732-6868 at least two days prior to the fair.
The Health Fair is presented by the DHH Office of Public Health Washington Parish Health Unit, St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Mary Bird Perkins, Egan Home Health, Riverside Medical Center, LSU Bogalusa Medical Center, Washington Parish Government, Washington Parish Commission on Human Services, Northshore Specialty Hospital, Magic Touch of Health, Washington Parish Council on Aging, LSU AgCenter and other entities.
“We are happy to partner with so many to make this a truly effective way to reach out to the residents of Washington Parish,” Burton said.
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