Wake Forest University School of Medicine students will hold the 10th annual “Share the Health” fair on Jan. 10, 2009, at the Marketplace Mall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The health fair is designed to encourage community members, especially those who are medically underserved, to become active participants in their own health care. In 2008, more than 200 student volunteers participated, including medical students, students in the Physician Assistant program and WFU undergraduates, serving more than 1,000 community members.
Many free health screenings will be available for participants, including screenings for glaucoma, diabetes, HIV and high blood pressure. Free tests to evaluate hearing, lung function, bone density, cholesterol, blood sugar and body-mass index will also be available.
Health care professionals – including physicians, North Carolina Baptist Hospital residents, physician assistants and nurses – will offer free health information on such topics as sickle cell anemia, heart disease, diabetes, mental health, exercise and nutrition, and childhood obesity, among many others. Members of BrennerFIT, a Brenner Children’s Hospital program that focuses on the treatment of childhood obesity (children ages 2 to 18), will also be on hand to provide counseling on healthy lifestyles.
There will be door prizes for participants, including tickets to the Winston-Salem Symphony, WFU men’s basketball games and YMCA memberships.
For Hispanic participants, Spanish-speaking physicians, translators and information in Spanish will be available.
“Share the Health” is sponsored by the medical school and Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC) of the medical school, which is also part of the North Carolina AHEC Program.
Marketplace Mall is on Peters Creek Parkway, one block north of Silas Creek Parkway.
Student contacts are Sheevaun Khaki, skhaki@wfubmc.edu, and Bernard Tawfik, btaawfik@wfubmc.edu.
Interview Inquiry: contact Bonnie Davis at (336) 716-4977, bdavis@wfubmc.edu.
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Media Contacts: Robin Brantley, (336) 716-7334, rbrantle@wfubmc.edu; Mark Wright, (336) 716-3382, mwright@wfubmc.edu, or Bonnie Davis, (336) 716-4977, bdavis@wfubmc.edu
Media Relations
Main Number: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587