Health Fair at Delridge Community Center

Forwarded by Ron Angeles at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center.  

             NEWS RELEASE

Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Timothy Gallagher, Superintendent

www.seattle.gov/parks

                                 

For immediate release                                                         September 3, 2008

Contact:         Dewey Potter, 206-684-7241

                        e-mail dewey.potter@seattle.gov

 

SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOLD HEALTH FAIRS AT DELRIDGE, RAINIER COMMUNITY CENTERS

 

Seattle Parks and Recreation will host two health fairs, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 20 at Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 18 at Rainier Community Center, 4600 38^th Ave. S.

 

"We're hoping for good turnouts at these health fairs," said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tim Gallagher. "Given the disparities in the delivery of health care to communities of color, we are following the lead of the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (CHEF) and other organizations by holding these events in southeast and southwest Seattle. For example, African-American babies and other babies of color have shorter life expectancies than those of the general population and face higher rates of asthma, hypertension, and other diseases. Women who receive poor or no health care experience more breast cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses."

 

Southeast and southwest Seattle have the largest concentrations of African-American, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanic population in the city, though some populations are growing in north Seattle.

 

At the free fairs, Parks will bring together vendors and organizations who will provide blood pressure checks, healthy snacks, emergency preparedness information, nutrition information, diabetes information and glucose checks, out-of-school time programs, bicycle repair and restoration, information on where to get a bicycle helmet, information about affordable health insurance, entertainment, prizes, and information about all the classes and activities Parks offers all over the city.

 

The fairs are an element of "Healthy Parks, Healthy You," an initiative of Seattle Parks and Recreation to encourage Seattle residents to adopt healthy habits.

 

This fall, Parks will also offer "Try it for $2," a long list of opportunities for people to try out classes offered at community centers and other facilities for just $2 per activity. People can explore all the activities they are interested in-and may find one they want to continue. Registration is available at the facilities at the dates and times they are offered. For more information, please see http://www.seattle.gov/PARKS/healthyparks/.

 

 

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