Post by BrianSullivan on Jul 28, 2010 6:06:55 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-07-28/Front_Page/Health_screenings_are_focus_of_event.html
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — The borough will host its first health fair on July 31 from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Freehold Health Screening Fair for men, women and children will be held on the fields of the Park Avenue Elementary School, 280 Park Ave., Freehold Borough.
The event is sponsored by the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Health screenings for blood pressure, lead, glucose, skin cancer, body mass index and HIV will be available, according to Borough Council President Jaye Sims.
Residents of Freehold Borough and surrounding towns are invited to avail themselves of the screenings. Free refreshments will be provided.
Jennie Blakney, the community education manager of the consortium, said the agency chose Freehold Borough to host the July 31 event because up until now she had not seen much in the way of community events specifically addressing health issues for the community, such as a health fair.
“Most of our health fair outreach has been done in areas such as Asbury Park, Neptune and Long Branch. We mostly address more urban areas because this is where we find that women of childbearing age have many issues,” she said.
Blakney said the consortium addresses the needs of women between the ages of 14 and 44.
Sims, who is a diabetic, said he knows what it is like to have health issues. He said he did not hesitate to say yes when asked by Annette La Barbera of the consortium to host the event. He said he likes the idea of a health fair that is open to all.
He said childhood obesity, juvenile diabetes and lead contamination are some of the conditions that will be screened at the fair.
“It was an attractive idea for me to promote health in our community. We will also have fun- and fitness-oriented activities for kids and give-aways all day,” Sims said. “We will have financial counseling and nutrition based food counseling for those who are interested in starting a new, healthier lifestyle.
“This fair will address overall health and well being. I think it’s a great idea. For me, this fair really hits home. I was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago.
“Think how many people could be walking around with diabetes or other diseases that can be detected by screenings and they don’t even know it,” Sims added. “And just a simple screening will help to identify these things.”
Co-sponsors for the July 31 event are Amerigroup Community Care, Ameri- Choice, Horizon New Jersey Health, Hispanic Affairs and Resource Center of Monmouth County, Visiting Nurse Association for Central New Jersey, International Planning Alliance LLC, Nova Debt and Child Care Resources.
Participating organizations include the Concerned Black Nurses, Intoxicated Driver Resource Center of Monmouth County, Monmouth County Health Department, Check Mate Inc. and the Freehold Borough Council.
Contact staff writer Clare Marie Celano at ccelano@gmnews.com.
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — The borough will host its first health fair on July 31 from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Freehold Health Screening Fair for men, women and children will be held on the fields of the Park Avenue Elementary School, 280 Park Ave., Freehold Borough.
The event is sponsored by the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Health screenings for blood pressure, lead, glucose, skin cancer, body mass index and HIV will be available, according to Borough Council President Jaye Sims.
Residents of Freehold Borough and surrounding towns are invited to avail themselves of the screenings. Free refreshments will be provided.
Jennie Blakney, the community education manager of the consortium, said the agency chose Freehold Borough to host the July 31 event because up until now she had not seen much in the way of community events specifically addressing health issues for the community, such as a health fair.
“Most of our health fair outreach has been done in areas such as Asbury Park, Neptune and Long Branch. We mostly address more urban areas because this is where we find that women of childbearing age have many issues,” she said.
Blakney said the consortium addresses the needs of women between the ages of 14 and 44.
Sims, who is a diabetic, said he knows what it is like to have health issues. He said he did not hesitate to say yes when asked by Annette La Barbera of the consortium to host the event. He said he likes the idea of a health fair that is open to all.
He said childhood obesity, juvenile diabetes and lead contamination are some of the conditions that will be screened at the fair.
“It was an attractive idea for me to promote health in our community. We will also have fun- and fitness-oriented activities for kids and give-aways all day,” Sims said. “We will have financial counseling and nutrition based food counseling for those who are interested in starting a new, healthier lifestyle.
“This fair will address overall health and well being. I think it’s a great idea. For me, this fair really hits home. I was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago.
“Think how many people could be walking around with diabetes or other diseases that can be detected by screenings and they don’t even know it,” Sims added. “And just a simple screening will help to identify these things.”
Co-sponsors for the July 31 event are Amerigroup Community Care, Ameri- Choice, Horizon New Jersey Health, Hispanic Affairs and Resource Center of Monmouth County, Visiting Nurse Association for Central New Jersey, International Planning Alliance LLC, Nova Debt and Child Care Resources.
Participating organizations include the Concerned Black Nurses, Intoxicated Driver Resource Center of Monmouth County, Monmouth County Health Department, Check Mate Inc. and the Freehold Borough Council.
Contact staff writer Clare Marie Celano at ccelano@gmnews.com.