Photos and video by Toni Bee and Selena B. Yard

James Brown tunes blared from the back door of the Pisani Center and DJ Joe Johnson beckoned community members to “Come out and get your health checked!” at The Area 4 Health Fair. The Area 4 for Peace group and several other organizations sponsored the mid July event.

Besides providing health screenings another goal of the fair was as Sandra of Centro Latino put it, “To outreach to individuals that are new to the community. Meet people half way. Especially for people who don’t come out much.”

SEE PHOTOS http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonibeez/sets/72157624422462359/show/

With just a tiny prick to the finger, Cambridge Health Alliance employees were able to screen people for blood sugar and cholesterol levels and arm cuffs checked out people’s blood pressure. Other CHA programs and departments with tables at the event were: CHA’s dental department, The Men’s Health League, ROAD (Reaching Out About Depression) and the Cambridge Public Health Nurses.

The other “health vendors” who provided loads of “ informational goodies” from their agencies, were: Centro Latino, CEOC, African Community Health Initiatives, Agenda for Children, Network Health, Cambridge Somerville Elder Services, Washington Elms/Newtown Court Tenant Council

“WHY HAVE A COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR when the Windsor Street Health Clinic is a half a block away and the Cambridge Hospital is right up the street?” was the question this journalist asked to many heath fair participants. See what a how a few folks responded to the inquiry:
Janet of Network Health said she volunteered, “To educate people who don’t have health insurance. Even part time employees can get it because it is based on your income”

An anonymous organizer felt that “Folks are used to going to the doctors. Why can’t the doctors come out to create relationships?

Laverne Jefferson of ROAD and president of the Washington Elms/Newtown Court Tenant Council felt “I think we are here to let our neighborhood know just how concerned we are. We are giving a personal touch that may be missing” doctor/patient relationships.”

S.B. Why come to this event? I wanted to get re-involved with my health care and I wanted the convenience of getting some testes with out having to go to the doctor and wait. I think it is very important that minority health care needs be met. So I am glad it is being held here at the Pisani Center

Annis who was headed home to take her medicine lives in Washington Elms mentioned what she learned new today: “The lady who took my blood pressure explained that said I could have a stroke. She gave me a card with all of the signs. I didn’t know how serious it was. My pressure was very high.