NC-HCAP News

NC-HCAP Ambassadors' Health on the Block health fair a succes
04.15.05

Chapel Hill, NC — More than 100 members of the underserved population in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro community attended the second annual NC-HCAP Ambassadors’ Health on the Block community health fair in downtown Chapel Hill on Saturday, April 9.

The NC-HCAP Ambassadors created Health on the Block as part of an ongoing effort to educate and empower the community to adapt healthier lifestyle behaviors. “The NC-HCAP Ambassadors are devoted to promoting healthy behaviors in communities and enhancing opportunities in the health professions among local disadvantaged youth,” said Denise Belle, advisor to the Ambassadors. “Education and early diagnosis are important to any preventive healthcare plan. We feel this fair is a great opportunity to raise awareness and identify those at risk for serious illness among a population that is typically underserved in healthcare.”

During the six-hour event, UNC student health volunteers and organizations and other local health organizations offered complimentary hearing/speech, dental care, blood pressure, body mass index and glaucoma screenings as well as general eye examinations. The event also provided children and their families with information about nutrition, health care, and safety prevention as well as the services extended by local organizations. A
demonstration on fire prevention and an obstacle course designed to test and improve agility allowed children to participate while learning about these topics. Members of the UNC football team were on hand to lead the childrens’ activities while a moon walk, face painting, door prizes and food kept participants fed and entertained.

Participating organizations included: Breast Cancer Survivor Association, Bridges Pointe Foundation, Inc.; Chapel Hill Fire Department, Empowerment, Inc., ENNEAD: Dental Students without Borders, Family Violence and Prevention Center of Orange County, NCCU Department of Health Education, North Carolina Health Careers Access Program, Orange County Health Department, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, Unite for Sight, UNC Association of Nursing Students, UNC Department of Nutrition, UNC football players, UNC School of Dentistry, UNC School of Medicine, UNC School of Public Health, UNC School of Public Health Minority Student Caucus, UNC Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) and UNC Student Poverty Reduction Outreach.

According to Annbec DeShield, president of the Ambassadors, three of the individuals required follow-up appointments with screeners after being tested for glaucoma, dental problems and high blood pressure. “These individuals are the real reason why Health on the Block was created, and we [the Ambassadors] are especially proud that we may have contributed to the prolongation of a healthy life for these individuals,” said DeShield. “Undoubtedly, Health on the Block improves overall access to healthcare through the provision of comprehensive (free) preventative healthcare screenings to area youth and adults. By the close of the event, we trust that fair participants depart with a renewed sense of awareness and accountability for their own health as well as for that of their family members.”

The NC-HCAP Ambassadors received a grant from the Student Opportunities Fund of the UNC-CH Parents Council to fund this project. The Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department also sponsored the event. Food and/or prizes for the event were donated by: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Bandido’s Mexican Café, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chanello’s Pizza, Chick-Fil-A, Cold Stone Creamery, Harris Teeter Supermarket, Jason’s Deli, Mama Dip’s Kitchen, McAlister’s Deli, Panera Bread, Pepsi Cola, Sam’s Club and Subway.

The NC-HCAP Ambassador Program includes outstanding, pre-professional health sciences students who serve as liaisons between NC-HCAP and the underrepresented and disadvantaged populations of the campus communities.

For more information on the Ambassador Program, visit http://nchcap.unc.edu/ambassadors.html or call (919) 966-2264.