Latino Health Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michelle Gordon, 912.961.3173

AASU to Host Health Fair for Underserved Latinos

Savannah, GA—August 27, 2004—Armstrong Atlantic State University’s HOLA (Hispanic Outreach and Leadership at Armstrong Atlantic) program, in conjunction with Dia de la Mujer Latina, Inc., will host the “Ferria de Salud Latino” (Latino Health Fair), an annual culturally specific health festival for Latinos, on September 26, from noon to 4 p.m. on the AASU campus.

The health fiesta will provide free cancer screenings for uninsured and impoverished Latinos in and around the Savannah area. It also will provide health related services to Latino’s and their families in the following fields: cancer prevention education, cancer/HIV information resources, and public benefits resources. Additionally, health screenings for diabetes, tuberculosis, STD’s, and osteoporosis will be offered.

Since the last census, Georgia’s Latino population has tripled and is projected to continue to grow. Furthermore, cancer survival rates among the uninsured Latino population remain lower then other ethic groups, due partly to the typical later diagnosis. The fair aims to lower this statistic by providing the cancer screenings and education on other health issues concerning the Latino and Hispanic populations.

HOLA’s mission includes providing educational, social, and academic support services to AASU Hispanic/Latino students as well as sponsoring campus activities that promote Hispanic and Latino heritage.

Día de la Mujer Latina’s mission is to promote health awareness to the underserved Latino community by providing a culturally appropriate setting for early detection screening and prevention care, ethnic specific education, and resource information for follow-up services.

For more information about the Ferria de Salud Latino in Savannah, contact Melody Ortiz at 912.921.7337 or email at ortizmel@armstrong.edu