The 14th annual Hamilton County Minority Health Fair: “Empowering and Educating Minorities to Close the Health Gap” will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Eastgate Town Center. The free event will provide attendees with a variety of health screenings and information. It is sponsored byKappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with the Southeast Tennessee Health Consortium Foundation.
Attendees are encouraged to pre-register by calling 778-5465 by Saturday.
According to a health report released by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department released in November 2015, there are some marked differences in the death rates of Africans Americans and whites in Hamilton County. Among the notable differences, death rates among African Americans were significantly higher than among whites for the following causes:
Homicide: 8.2 times higher among African Americans than whites
Nephritis: 3.6 times higher among African Americans than whites
Diabetes: 2.7 times higher among African Americans than whites
Stroke: 32 percent higher among African Americans than whites
Heart disease: 19 percent higher among African Americans than whites
Cancer: 16 percent higher among African Americans than whites
These statistics can change with screening and education on preventive health care issues in minority and low-income communities, said officials. Individuals and families can take many steps to improve their health as well as the health of their loved ones.
The 2015 Hamilton County Minority Health Fair will provide over 125 free health screenings and health education opportunities that will allow participants earlier entry in the Hamilton County’s health care system, thereby reducing the major health care disparities.
CHI Memorial’s mobile health coaches will provide mammography and cervical screenings and staff from the CHI Memorial MaryEllen Locher Breast Center will provide bone density screenings at the Minority Health Fair. The mobile health coaches will be parked near the senior center entrance at Eastgate Town Center, 5600 Brainerd Road.
"All women should have one screening mammogram between the ages of 35-40. After age 40, a screening mammogram is recommended every year. Any woman who meets these age guidelines and has not had a mammogram in the past 12 months may participate, with or without insurance," officials said.
Those with insurance must bring an insurance card and a photo ID, such as a driver’s license. Insurance will be filed for patients. Those who do not have insurance may qualify for financial assistance. The MaryEllen Locher Breast Center receives grants and partners with Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program to provide eligible uninsured and under-insured women with breast and cervical screenings. If an abnormality is discovered, the diagnostic work up is covered.
Women need to know their doctor’s first and last name. To schedule a screening, call 423-495-4040 or 866-591-2254.
In addition to the mammography and cervical screenings on the mobile health coaches, staff from the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center will conduct free bone density screenings and osteoporosis education at the Minority Health Fair.
The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to participate.