Health fair connects residents to vital resources
Oct 31, 2019 04:14PM ● By Sarah Morton Taggart
Haylee Lopez of West Jordan gets a flu shot from Natasha Whitaker at the CBC Midvale Health Fair at Copperview Recreation Center on Sept. 28. (Sarah Morton Taggart/City Journals)
By Sarah Morton Taggart | [email protected]
Access to health care is becoming increasingly expensive. One event in Midvale helps families access essential services.
Midvale CBC (Community Building Community) held its annual health fair at the Copperview Recreation Center on Sept. 28. More than 700 people attended the event, which is one of the largest of its kind in Utah.
Attendees could have their glucose, blood pressure or cholesterol levels checked. Depending on the results, nutritionists and physicians were on hand to give advice. Attendees could also get a free flu shot. Others left the event with clean teeth, thanks to dental hygienists from Salt Lake Community College.
Haylee Lopez took advantage of the free flu shots. “My mom’s friend said we should come, so here we are,” Lopez said.
In addition to traditional health providers, a variety of vendors were there to educate residents about their services. Attendees could receive information on maternal health, financial health, educational opportunities, information about testing for lead paint at home and more.
Diana Aguilera, executive director of Latino Behavioral Health Services, worked at the event for the first time. “This is the only (health fair) I’ve been to that targets the Latino population,” said Aguilera. “It’s great to have people walk up and say, ‘Yeah, that’s me.’ We want to strengthen the community.” Latino Behavioral offers free and low-cost mental health services to underserved communities in Utah.
To participate, vendors paid a fee ranging from $30 to $200. All money collected will be used to buy medical equipment for the Midvale CBC Clinic, which offers low-cost medical services throughout the year.
In addition to health services, the fair offered some fun. Live entertainment, face painters and games for kids added to the festive atmosphere. Tacos el Pariente, a local business, donated 600 tacos for volunteers and attendees. Zumba instruction for all ages gave attendees a chance to exercise.
The event also kicked off Latin American Health Weeks with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from several community leaders, including Salt Lake’s Head Consul of Mexico José Borjón, Midvale Mayor Robert Hale, and representatives from Comunidades Unidas and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
