Community Health Events Bring Awareness to Local Residents

Public health events can bring attention to public health issues and encourage healthy habits among local residents. One recent event in Fresno, California, brought attention to the prevalence of childhood lead poisoning. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District sponsored informational booths and the Fresno County Department of Public Health held a health fair on campus. The Performing Above the High Project, an initiative to curb marijuana use among youth, also featured a booth at the fair. The events drew about 300 people.

National Public Health Week was celebrated April 2 to 6 in Macomb County, Michigan. The Health Department hosted events for the weeklong period during National Public Health Week. The department held free glucose screenings, provided free prescription drug disposal, answered questions from women considering breastfeeding and answered concerns about hospital policies and procedures. In addition, it held a “Be Healthy Day” event and handed out free water bottles and emergency preparedness kits. Attendees could spin a wheel to determine which items were missing from their kits.

Several events promote healthy living in communities throughout the state. In Corpus Christi, ThedaCare health system hosts community health events. The team includes frontline caregivers and educators, local government officials, businesses, nonprofit organizations and medical professionals. They have also hosted “plunge” events. These events provide a unique opportunity for community members to learn more about healthy eating and physical activity. It is also a great opportunity to connect with the community and share ideas and tips about staying healthy.

One of the most popular events was the “duck pond.” Participants were invited to choose a toy duck with a sticker of healthy or unhealthy foods. While they discussed which duck was healthy or unhealthy, they also won prizes for participation. Another event, “Sweet Health Day,” promoted awareness among local residents and highlighted the importance of eating healthy and exercise. The Student Government Association also held a walking competition to raise awareness about the issue of obesity.

In another event, students at California State University, San Bernardino, hosted a National Public Health Week celebration. They organized five activities around five daily themes. Each event was geared towards educating students about public health and changing behavior. Students also gave away condom popsicles and other educational materials. They also held classroom presentations and raffles for an emergency preparedness starter kit. The students’ efforts resulted in positive impacts on local residents.

To raise awareness about breast cancer, local health clubs can host public events. Komen St. Louis Project, an initiative of the national organization, organized two Public Health Expos in St. Louis. The employee expo, “A Fit Workforce Starts with You,” was the kickoff for the Countywide Fitness Challenge. The event featured 40 booths and featured free health screenings, fitness classes, and Zumba. One event focused on breast cancer awareness.

One such event involved a collaborative of youth in foster care, alumni of care, and community partners. The event featured speakers from the YMCA, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Prana Gyana Holistic Health and Wellness Center, and other organizations. The day’s events concluded at 4:30 p.m. With more than 200 attendees and sponsors, the inaugural event has been a success.