Trending
BELLAIRE -- A free community health fair sponsored by the Belmont County NAACP, Belmont County Health Department and Wheeling Health Right took place from 1-4 p.m. Thursday in the Bellaire High School gymnasium.
Belmont County NAACP President Jerry Moore II said he hopes the event brings the community together and provides valuable information and resources to people of all ages.
Local residents along with Bellaire High School students attended the event. Wheeling University's table had information specifically for students looking to enter the health field.
Many organizations participated in the event including CareSource, Cedar Ridge, Wheeling Health Right, The Health Plan, Ohio Hills Health Centers, Ohio Sexual Violence Health, The Seeing Hand Association, Southeast Inc., Trinity Village Network, Wheeling University, The Arc of Ohio and others.
The event also featured raffles and door prizes, and many of the prizes were health-related items. The Wood Fired Pizza Company food truck was also outside of the gymnasium during the event.
Health screenings including blood glucose and blood pressure were provided at the event. The Belmont County Health Department displayed information about the amount of sugar in beverages such as fruit juices, sodas and energy drinks.
Free Narcan nasal spray, which can counteract an opioid overdose, was handed out at the event.
Along with traditional health resources, many mental health organizations took part. These organizations provided information on overdose awareness, resources for people with developmental disabilities and information on suicide awareness. Several organizations provided information on suicide awareness to honor National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
A press release said the event was "designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, prevent and manage disease and connect people to resources."
"It's been nice. There's been a bit of traffic," Vicky Filtz, OhioRise care coordinator at Jefferson County Educational Service Center, said.
Superintendent Derrick McAfee said during the last board of education meeting that he was happy to provide the location for the event.
"Our goal is to tear down walls and include our community and our schools as much as humanly possible because we are the community. The NAACP asked if they can use our high school to host a health fair. Naturally, we obliged. It's an opportunity for students and people in the community," McAfee said.
For more information about the event, call Belmont County NAACP President Jerry Moore II at 740-827-5520.
The Belmont County Health Department is having a flu clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Belmont County Senior Services office in St. Clairsville. The flu clinic is open to anyone age 19 or older, and regular and high-dose flu shots will be available. Anyone who attends the clinic must bring their identification and insurance card.