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Programs Children’s Health Days

Fast Facts

  • People with diabetes are at great risk of developing serious health complications over time, such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and stroke. (CDC)
    For additional information and resources click here    .
  • Approximately eight million children in the United States suffer from asthma, a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations and school absenteeism. (CDC)
    For additional information and resources click here.
  • Approximately 310,000 children living in the United States have elevated levels of lead in their blood that are high enough to cause irreversible damage to their health. (CDC)
    For additional information and resources click here.
  • Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the United States. About 180,000 children under age 18 years – approximately one in every 400 – suffer from diabetes. (CDC)
    For additional information and resources click here.
  • African-American children are twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma and are four times as likely to die from asthma as Caucasian children. (EPA)
    For additional information and resources click here.
  • It is estimated that approximately 85% of all children with high blood lead levels are Medicaid-eligible. (CDC)
    For additional information and resources click here.
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Children’s Health Days

In the effort to expand CHF’s focus to other childhood health issues like asthma, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, CHF implemented the Children’s Health Days Program in 2006 to sponsor community health screenings across the country in partnership with a variety of local organizations. The events are designed to celebrate healthy families and children by bridging the health care gap and providing free information, services and screening to underserved children and families. Screenings include diabetes, blood lead level, HIV and asthma, and preventive information is provided on a broad array of health topics, such as nutrition, exercise, hearing, dental, vision, mental health, and a healthy lifestyle.

A crucial component of the program is the assistance of corporate and community partners. With the willingness and generosity of community conscious organizations, CHF is able to deliver the necessary services and educational materials to the general public. Some of our past sponsors have been California State University Long Beach, AltaMed Health Services, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Access Dental, and many other diverse organizations who are committed to providing access and education to children who would otherwise suffer a similar fate of those who came before.

The events have been well attended, with an average of 200 families participating in each fair. In addition, CHF generates national and local attention prompting media outlets, notable speakers, and community leaders to attend and support the efforts.

 

Memphis - October 2006

In October 2006 CHF sponsored its first health screening at the Greater Middle Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Hooks, event partners included the Greater Middle Baptist Church Health Ministry, the City of Memphis, the Shelby County Department of Health, Memphis Healthy Churches, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, and Lifescreen. CHF provided free diabetes, HIV, and blood lead level screenings, as well as dental, vision, and hearing screenings. Educational materials and lectures were also used to reach participants on health topics such as nutrition, physical fitness, and healthy housing. Approximately 100 children and adults attended the event and participated in the screenings.

Free Testing of Blood Lead Levels in Memphis

Washington - October 2007

In October 2007 CHF joined the Washington, DC Department of Health, Angie’s List, and other community-based organizations to kick off National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 21-27, 2007) with a free lead poisoning awareness fair in Washington, DC. The event brought together numerous community organizations, including CHF, Amerigroup Community Care, Financial Crisis Prevention Center, Lead Safe DC, Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Community Action Group, and the National Center for Healthy Housing. Free blood lead level tests were given to children in addition to lead screening for toys and bilingual education on lead safety for families. CHF provided lead safe toys and books to all children who attended.

New Orleans - September 2007

On Saturday, September 8th CHF sponsored our second health screening at the Household of Faith Family Worship Church in New Orleans, LA. CHF partnered to coordinate this event with the New Orleans Black Nurses Association (NOBNA). Participating organizations included: The New Orleans Children's Health Project (Tulane University and The Children's Health Fund Partnership), Greater New Orleans Immunization Network, New Orleans Department of Health, New Orleans Department of Environmental Health, Every Child Matters, Excelth, NO/AIDS Task Force, Kingsley House, and New Orleans Home Health and Clinic. CHF provided free diabetes, HIV, and blood lead level screenings, as well as dental, BMI, blood pressure, and asthma screenings as well as free immunizations. Approximately 100 children and adults attended the event and participated in the screenings. Educational handouts were provided on health topics, and participants were able to enroll in Medicaid programs. Free entertainment was provided and refreshments were donated by Theo's restaurant and Whole Foods Market. Gift bags with school supplies were also provided, with contents provided by the NOBNA. NBC affiliate WDSU-TV covered the event.

New Orleans

Dr. Jay Dumas DDS, gives Darius Davis a dental screening in New Orleans

Los Angeles - February 2008

On February 23, 2008, the Children’s Health Forum (CHF), in partnership with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)/California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training, and AltaMed Health Services, hosted a free health screening in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights community for at-risk Latino children and families.

The event was called Healthy Family: Happy Child or Familia Saludable: Nino Feliz. This was CHF’s first event of this kind in Los Angeles and was highly successful. The health fair helped raise awareness in the Latino community of the importance of prevention and early detection of illnesses that disproportionately impact minority and underserved children.

The event provided free health screenings, courtesy of AltaMed Health Services, for diabetes, HIV, cholesterol, blood pressure, dental, and asthma, among others. In addition to the examinations, more than twenty community health organizations, such as Kaiser Permanente, YMCA Los Angeles, Access Dental, Care First Health Plan, Plaza del la Raza Child Development Services, Health Net, and others provided essential educational materials to the estimated 200 attendees. Entertainment, physical activities, and healthy food were also provided.

Several notable community leaders spoke at the event, including United States Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, who represents Boyle Heights. Arturo Chavez, staff of CA State Senator Gilbert Cedillo; Dr. Maria Torres, Vice President of Government Relations for AltaMed Services; Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis, Director of the NCLR/CSULB Center; and Melanie Hudson of CHF were also in attendence. The speakers reinforced the importance of health education and prevention for Latino children in Los Angeles, and pledged to continue to organize health fairs in the community to raise awareness and promote the overall health and well-being of children and families.

DSCN0546

Over 200 families gathered in Los Angles' Boyle Heights community

 

Los Angeles

Baltimore - May 2009

In May 2009, CHF joined Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers, Park West Health System, and the New Shiloh Baptist Church to host the seventeenth annual free health screening and educational fair at the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. More than 300 Baltimore children and families attended the event and participated in screening services provided by 30 community-based health groups and city agencies.

United States Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), a strong supporter of pediatric health issues, addressed the participants and reinforced the importance of primary prevention. Senator Cardin was joined at the event by Dr. Allen Bennett, Chairman of the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers and President and CEO of Park West Health System; Dr. Harold Carter, Sr., Pastor of New Shiloh Baptist Church; and Melanie Hudson, Executive Director of the Children's Health Forum. Many other community leaders attended the event.

"We are the richest nation in the world, yet more than 47 million of our citizens are without health coverage. This is unacceptable. Events like today provide critical preventive health care and screenings that save lives and cost less than treating advanced diseases. As a long-time advocate for universal health coverage, I will push to ensure this very type of care is included in the health care reform legislation working through Congress now," said Senator Cardin, an original co-sponsor of the Access for All Americans Act, which would quadruple the number of Federally Qualified Health Centers across the country.

Other participating organizations in the health fair included the Baltimore City Health Department, Johns Hopkins University, Krieger Eye Institute, Amerigroup, Maryland Physicians Care, United Health Care, Maryland Insurance Administration, Health Care for All, Baltimore City Substance Abuse Program, Alzheimer's Association, Mental Health Association of Maryland, Maryland Healthy Teens and Young Adult Center, Baltimore Community Health Partnership, and the Living Legacy Foundation.




United States Senator Benjamin
Cardin (D-MD) joins CHF in
Baltimore to discuss pediatric
health issues.

Don't Wait To Get Your Child Tested For Lead Poisoning!

Click Here to View Additional Photos from Children Health Days Events