Latina Health Fair 2007

May 19, 2007 marks the 5th year of the Washington Health Foundation's Latina Health Fair—Feria de Salud Para la Mujer Latina.

The Latina Health Fair (LHF) is a direct part of WHF's effort to make Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation. a community-based, culturally appropriate health fair designed to reach those who lack health insurance or access to health care services. And although it focuses on the Latina community, women of all races and ethnicities are welcome to attend and receive care. LHF is held each year during National Women's Health Week and has been listed as an official event on the 4woman.gov website to celebrate the week.

The health fair offers an opportunity for women and their families to receive health education, services and free screenings, including: Pap, mammogram, pregnancy tests, diabetes, HIV, cholesterol, osteoporosis, vision, dental, and blood pressure—just to name a few.

In the first four years of this event, the LHF served more than 1,400 women and their families—all of whom might not have otherwise received these services.

This annual event began as the vision of WHF's Director of Diversity & Health Homes, Giselle Zapata-Garcia who manages WHF's Community Health Access Program (CHAP).

CHAP is direct service program connecting families and individuals in King County to Health Homes and resources. The program offers access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and social services, regardless of ability to pay. CHAP serves those who are experiencing problems in the health system at the most personal level—individuals and families with major concerns and needs such as finding a physician, dentist or health coverage.

In her daily work assisting clients, Giselle saw a need for a place where language would not be a barrier to health care, a place where people could receive bilingual health education materials and free health screenings. And as the idea for an event began taking root, Giselle asked herself and the WHF staff what barriers would prevent a woman from getting her annual health screenings. They came up with the gamut of issues such as lack of childcare or transportation. Giselle and her team asked the question: what if women could go to one place and receive a year's worth of health screenings, have access to childcare and roundtrip transportation?

They developed the idea of a bilingual health fair: A place that would be easy to get to, free, would offer many screenings and services, and that would be an event for the whole family.

Since 2003, Giselle has excelled at coordinating the WHF's now annual Latina Health Fair, by coordinating partnerships, contributors and volunteers to assure the project offers a variety of health services.

LHF is funded through sponsorships, donations and grants. And over the years, as partnerships have expanded, more screenings have been added, making the LHF the largest event of its kind across the state—dedicated partners have included UW SPARX, WA Osteoporosis Coalition, SeaMar, Public Health – Seattle & King County and many others.

The event is volunteer-driven, as well as offers exhibit space for health and education oriented products and services. Volunteer interpreters attend as well, assuring that all are heard and understood.

The LHF is a family affair, with fun activities for children, such as face painting and piñatas, as well as live entertainment and guest speakers.

"The Latina Health Fair is a great way to combine CHAP's important daily work with a larger community outreach effort," said Giselle. "I am pleased that what started as a grassroots effort has grown to include so many sponsors, contributors, and volunteers who have come together to provide preventive health services to literally hundreds of women."

This year, the Latina Health Fair will be held at North Seattle Community College, College Center, Cafeteria, 9600 College Way North, Seattle, Washington 98103. There will be free parking, as well as free shuttle bus service offered from South King County and the Eastside, and possibly extending to South Snohomish County.

Mark your calendars now for WHF's 5th Annual Latina Health Fair – and we'll see you soon at this Healthiest State in the Nation event!

Click here for more information on this year's event. And if you are interested in participating by volunteering, donating or exhibiting, please contact Giselle Zapata-García at gisellez@whf.org.

more resources:

www.whf.org/Programs/chap.aspx

www.whf.org/Programs/lhf.aspx

www.whf.org/Programs/2007LHF.aspx

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