By Melissa Evans, Staff Writer | Posted: 07/14/2011 05:42:10 PM PDT | Source: DailyBreeze.com
Health fair
When: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 23
Where: Harbor City Day Laborer site, 1301 N. Figueroa Place, Wilmington
Information: 310-534-6221
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Local medical students, researchers and high school students are coming together again this summer to offer health services to low-income and underserved residents.
The Urban Health Fellowship includes two health fairs and then a July 26 summit where students will present findings from a research project.
Those involved will continue last year’s work, looking at health problems and access to health services among the day laborer population in the Harbor Area.
Students are surveying those who come for health screenings and other services at fairs this month, said Lisa Hean, one of the medical students involved.
“We want to find out where they go for health services, what problems they’re having, whether they’re scared for immigration issues,” she said.
The program, organized by the Harbor-UCLA Department of Family Medicine and Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, brings together high school and undergraduate students, medical students, medical residents and professional researchers who work together for six weeks.
The goal is to inspire young students from underserved areas to go into the medical field, and to encourage medical students to direct attention toward the disadvantaged in urban areas.
Last year’s group interviewed day laborers at work sites and health fairs, finding that the majority didn’t have any source of health care.
Many of those who came for services also did not have basic immunizations for tuberculosis and other highly infectious diseases, and many suffered respiratory problems and other health issues.The first health fair last weekend drew about 150 people. The next fair is July 23 at the Harbor City day laborer site.
Services include screening for anemia and diabetes, blood pressure checks, dental services, women’s and children’s health, immunizations and diet and nutrition information.
The program is supported by several groups, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Molina Medical Centers and the UCLA School of Dentistry.
The summit will be held at 12:30 in the Cragin Theater at Banning High School in Wilmington.