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Health issues affecting the African American community is the focus of an April 6 fair at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster city.
The African American Health Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the college’s multipurpose room. The college is located at 750 E. King St.
State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, whose office is presenting the free event, said visitors should expect activities, opportunities, music and food.
“And hopefully they’ll leave with a better sense of how to get healthy and stay healthy — and indeed to advocate for their own health,” he said.
Organizations including YWCA Lancaster, Doula Right Thing Services and the South Central Pennsylvania Sickle Cell Council will have tables set up at the event, Smith-Wade-El’s district office director Susan Knoll said by email. The Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco will distribute radon test kits, and the state police will distribute gun safety kits, Knoll said.
The event will provide information on tobacco cessation, reproductive health services and domestic violence services, Smith-Wade-El said, adding that in addition to individual health, there will also be an emphasis on policy.
State Rep. Gina H. Curry will join Dr. Sharee Livingston and Dr. Cherise Hamblin, both of the nonprofit Patients R Waiting, on a panel to talk about ways to improve outcomes for Black moms during childbirth, according to Smith-Wade-El.
Smith-Wade-El said the fair offers something for all people, regardless of demographics.
“One of the things that we know is that the health challenges that face the African American community, when we address those effectively, we’re gonna see an impact on all communities,” Smith-Wade-El said, “especially those who … the current model of health care in the United States may not be focused on.”
McCaskey High School’s step dance team Mass Destruction will perform at the fair, and visitors will be able to participate in free workout classes with At Her Core Fitness and sample healthy food prepared in a cooking demonstration by chef Laurie Myers, according to Knoll. Tyquan Wright will DJ the event.
There will also be kids’ activities, Smith-Wade-El said.
The event’s main sponsors are Highmark Inc. and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
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