Mexican Consulate of San Bernardino Spreads Awareness on Importance of Health

Hundreds of San Bernardino County citizens participated in the 13th Annual Binational Health Fair on Oct. 6 at the Consulado de México (Mexican Consulate) of San Bernardino/Riverside Counties. Over 60 organizations offered free information on the services offered to the public, with an additional 20 organizations supporting the fair this year, compared to last. The Mexican Consulate of San Bernardino/Riverside Counties, in affiliation with Loma Linda University, the County Department of Public Health, and other local state, county, city and community health organizations hosted the event which featured over 50 vendor booths offering free health screenings, including services offered in the areas of dental, vision, and medical screening services, in addition to approximately 15 physicians on site who offered consultation in the areas of orthopedics, physical therapy, pediatric care, women’s health and family health, to name a few, shared Edith Lara, a Health Fair volunteer and the coordinator of the event’s medical section. Physical activities also took place at the main stage to emphasize the importance exercise in a healthy lifestyle. The Binational Health Week is one of the largest mobilization efforts of Federal, State and other government agencies, and also community and faith-based organizations, according to a release issued by the Consulate. The event started 13 years ago with the goal of improving the wellbeing of the general population, encompassing a week-long series of health promotion through workshops and medical screenings. Bronica Martindale is a representative for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health in the Nutrition program. Martindale is responsible for interacting with the community and educating them on the importance of eating additional fruits and vegetables, along with having more physical activity. Her goal, she shared, is to get people to see physical activity as a family activity that can be fun while at the same time helping reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Martindale stated, “Statistics has shown that physical activity helps our bodies stay healthy, and coupled with eating more fruits and vegetables and doing physical activity it helps reduce the risk of diseases that are preventable and are affecting Latino and African-American families.” She added that the goal is for families to achieve overall mind, body and soul healing and wellness, and to teach a healthy way of life. In addition to medical screenings, free legal assistance, information and referrals were also available on immigration topics, family services, civil and labor rights, and accident prevention in the workplace. The Consulate of San Bernardino hopes that the citizens of San Bernardino of all nationalities take control of their overall wellbeing in order to live a long, strong, and healthy life. They offer a health window that is open every day to refer individuals and their families to the adequate resources to tend to their health needs. [End] Word Count: 361 Sunday, Oct. 6 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 293 North D. St., San Bernardino, CA 92401 Contact: Flor Melina Avilez. Media Coordinator Consulate of Mexico in San Bernardino (909) 889-9836 Ext. 225 Press Release: SBE02410/2013 Date: September 18, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Consulate of Mexico will host the 2013 Annual Binational Health Fair The Mexican Consulate of San Bernardino/ Riverside Counties, in affiliation with Loma Linda University, the County Department of Public Health, and other local State, County, City and Community Health organizations invite the public to the XIII Annual Binational Health Fair. The annual health fair will be held at the parking lot of the Consulate of Mexico, located at 293 N D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. The theme for this year is “Health is Life” scheduled on Sunday, October 6, 2013, from 9AM., to 2PM. The Binational Health Week started 13 years ago and is one of the largest mobilization efforts of Federal, State, government, community, and faith based organizations, involving community volunteers in the Americas. The aim of this worthy event is to help improve the wellbeing of our underserved population. This annual event encompasses an annual weeklong series of health promotion and health education workshops, medical screenings and more. For this year, over fifty organizations will be participating to offer free, on-site free health screenings and medical consultation such as: • Cholesterol, • Blood pressure • Diabetes, • Hemoglobin • Limited flu vaccinations • Ultrasound scan • Dental • Vision • Specialized physicians’ consultations • Asthma consultation and referrals • Free eye glasses referrals • Free mammograms and referral to women who qualify • Health workshops on: Nutrition, Chronic diseases, behavioral & mental health • Free and low cost medical information and referrals. Free legal assistance, information and referrals on: • Immigration topics • Family services • Civil and labor rights, and • Labor accident prevention in the workplace and more… Entertainment and children activities will be available!!!!! For additional information please feel free to contact the Office of the Mexican Consulate at (909) 8899836 ext. 225