HEALTH&FITNESS
Celebrating Holistic Health
in the Community By: Soror Ava Phoenix
The vision of the health fair was to bring
healthy living and health awareness to
underserved communities utilizing a holistic
approach by increasing minority awareness
of emergency preparedness, chronic
diseases and prevention, financial wealth, and political awareness. The chapter’s third annual holistic health
fair was held on April 20, 2019, in collaboration with St. Pius V Catholic Church and St. Vincent’s/
Ascension Health.
A total of 148 participants were present to gain access to 25 vendors, community
partners, and organizations that provided screenings, medication
management, and educational materials geared toward holistic
healthy lifestyles. Community participants ranged in age from six
months to over 80 years old.
During the event, 13 hearing screenings, 14 school physicals, 14
HIV screenings, 28 depression screenings, 10 hepatitis C screenings,
six syphilis screenings, and three pregnancy tests were
performed. At the “Ask a Doctor” table, participants were able to
speak one on one with a physician. Pharmacists were on site to answer questions regarding medications.
Attendees were able to acquire hands-on CPR training, obtain a strength assessment, and learn about
dental hygiene. Vendors provided financial wellness, pregnancy loss, and behavioral health education. As
a bonus, members of the social action committee registered individuals to vote. Healthy People 2020 and
human trafficking presentations were given to keep citizens abreast of current resources on how their
families can become healthier and on how to avoid becoming victims of the human trafficking epidemic.
Because of the success of the event, St. Pius V Catholic
15 Church has agreed to host this event in 2020.