April 3, 2007 — It was a day in which the kids enjoyed taking tests and quizzes, and so did the adults, as the Department of Health held a Health Fair in Emancipation Garden.
The fair was held in conjunction with Public Health Week, which runs from April 2-8.
The theme of this year’s fair was "Take the First Step: Preparedness and Public Health Threats; Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation’s Vulnerable Populations."
Gritell Martinez, the fair organizer and the department’s federal grants coordinator, said those populations are mothers with young children, the homeless, shut-ins and the elderly.
The tests for the students, many of whom were on school field trips, were on how much they knew about health issues like immunization and nutrition. They received posters, backpacks and healthy snacks as prizes.
Whereas immunization is required of all children entering public schools, the same is not the case for those attending private schools. One of the goals of the fair was to alert both students and parents of Vaccination Week in the Virgin Islands, which will take place April 21-28. During that time free immunizations for children ages 4 and under will be available at Health Department clinics on all three islands. The public is asked to call for appointments.
For the adults in attendance, there was blood-pressure testing, cholesterol and glucose screening, eye exams and hearing tests.
“The test are for everyone,” said Martinez, “because we are seeing a higher percentage of young people coming in with high blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s the diet we eat. It’s even affecting younger kids, too. That’s why this day is so important, to get the word out and to do some testing.”
The students received a backpack in which the Region II Office of Minority Health in New York donated disaster-preparedness kits with insect repellents, water-purification tablets and a variety of items for use in a disaster.
Also in attendance were the Red Cross, Headstart, Emergency Medical Services, a massage therapist and chiropractic information.
Simultaneously, there was an open house at the Maternal Child Health Care facility. In a press release, acting Commissioner Phyllis Wallace said that the open house was a time to let the public know of all the services the facility has to offer and gave parents an opportunity to discuss various health topics with doctors and other staff.
At the open house, there were several presentations on topics, including neurology, good dental habits, speech problems, nutrition, breastfeeding, and ear and eye problems.
There were tours of the MCH facility and various exhibits explained the services available to new mothers.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
