The Many Facets of Community Health
By Brent Davis, PhD
Last Saturday, October 15, 2022, The American University of Health Sciences Foundation held its 9th annual Health and Wellness Fair. This fair featured cholesterol screenings by Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center and free vaccinations by Walgreens. Colgate provided toothbrushes and dental education to children and adults. A big hit was the Tessie Cleveland Community Services game trailer with mental health education. Hundreds of bags of groceries were handed out as well as dozens of books to children.
I am always amazed at the diversity exhibited at these outreaches. Besides the community health booths representing various ethnic, religious, and governmental organizations, it was interesting that the FNP with Dignity Health was from Afghanistan, and the AUHS pharmacy student who gave me my flu shot was from Egypt.
At the same time, the Foundation held a book fair to give books to school children from low-income families. New books were purchased thanks to a grant from the Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation. Children also got toothbrushes from Colgate and enjoyed crafts including decorating a pumpkin.