Chicago, IL – December 17, 2012.  The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Walgreens is offering vouchers for free flu shots. This is the second year FACHIC has been involved in this program to offer flu shots to those in need of the Filipino community as well as community at large.

Vouchers may be used at any Walgreens in the Chicago area through April 15, 2013.  The voucher will cover the cost and administration of the flu shot.  In order to be eligible, individuals must have no insurance coverage for a flu shot and cannot afford to pay for a flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all individuals 6 months of age and older should receive the vaccine. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe flu.  High risk patients include: adults age 65 and older, pregnant women, health workers and nursing home residents.  Adults with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease on dialysis, actively smoking, cancer or any chronic disease are also considered high risk.  Caregivers of children or at risk adults and household contacts of individuals with high risk medical problems should also consider receiving a flu shot. For more information about the flu and how to protect yourself, go to www.flu.gov.

If you are interested in receiving a voucher or know someone who would benefit from receiving a voucher, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your request or call 312-962-7748 for more information.  Vouchers are limited and subject to availability.  Vouchers will be sent via US first class mail to the requesting individual’s address.

The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) is a collaborative of community, health professional, and academic leaders united to address Filipino health issues in the Chicago area. The mission of FACHIC is to increase awareness of Filipino health disparities and to implement health interventions and educational programming to improve the health status of the Filipino community. FACHIC is a 501(c)(3) Illinois nonprofit organization. All programs and services are free and available to all. For more information, visit http://www.fachic.org.

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Chicago, IL – October 25, 2012.  The Filipino American Community Health Expo was held on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at an inaugural location in Skokie, Illinois.  The health expo was organized by the Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) in collaboration with the Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology (NWIHT) and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations in honor of Filipino American History Month.

This health expo offered free health screening exams including basic physicals and glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol testing to participants of all ages and ethnic groups.  NWIHT nursing students and medical students from the University of Illinois at Chicago Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association volunteered their time to provide these screenings.  Physicians and nurse practitioners from the local Chicago Filipino community also consulted with each participant to review findings.  Community partner Walgreens was on-site to administer free influenza vaccinations and Asian Human Services provided free HIV screening to interested participants.

New to the health expo this year were health-focused workshops. John Paul (JP) Jael of Asian Human Services led a Basic CPR training class with certification offered at the completion of class.  A session on “Healthy Heart, Healthy Families” with promotion of healthy lifestyle modifications among Filipinos was led by Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE). Joanne Garces, LCSW, spoke on health care power of attorney issues.  She states, "I am proud that I could share this important information with the health fair attendees.  I received good feedback that this was the first time they learned about the Healthcare Power of Attorney document.  Some participants shared personal stories of how this document could help them and their loved ones and they wished they knew the information sooner."  A variety of vendors ranging from home health services to hospice to financial services were on-site to talk with health expo attendees.  Sponsorship included healthy snacks provided by Whole Foods Sauganash and free lab services by Complete Lab Testing.

FACHIC and collaborators are proud to have organized this event and provided valuable resources and information to the community.  The organization was able to distribute information on free medical clinics in the Chicagoland area for those without access to care as well as important preventive information regarding free mammograms and child safety programs.  FACHIC has been a leading organization in planning annual Filipino community health fairs with intent to hold another health expo in the fall of 2013.  If you would like to be involved at a future event as a participant, volunteer, sponsor, or vendor, please call FACHIC at 312-962-7748 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) is a collaborative of community, health professional, and academic leaders united to address Filipino health issues in the Chicago area. The mission of FACHIC is to increase awareness of Filipino health disparities and to implement health interventions and educational programming to improve the health status of the Filipino community. FACHIC is a 501(c)(3) Illinois nonprofit organization.  All programs and services are free and available to all.  For more information, visit http://www.fachic.org.

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Chicago, IL – September 18, 2012. In honor of Filipino American History Month, the Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) invites you to join us at the Filipino American Community Health Expo on Sunday, October 7, 2012. This free event will be held at the Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology (NWIHT) at 3432 Oakton Street, Skokie from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

The health expo is open to the Filipino community and other ethnic and racial groups of all ages. Free physical exams will be administered by volunteer physicians, nurses, and students from FACHIC, NWIHT, and the University of Illinois at Chicago Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (UIC APAMSA). Other available screenings include blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, and vision. Workshop presentations about basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), healthcare power of attorney, and “Healthy Heart, Healthy Families" by Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) are planned. This health expo is an excellent opportunity for community participants to obtain basic health screening as well as valuable health information about disease and prevention in an enjoyable environment.

Additionally, information will be available to participants regarding nutrition, physician referrals, and diabetes and cardiovascular prevention. Healthy snacks will be provided to participants. The event is a joint effort of FACHIC, NWIHT, and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). For more information, please call FACHIC at (312) 962-7748, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit http://www.fachic.org/healthexpo. No RSVP is necessary to attend.

The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) is a collaborative of community, health professional, and academic leaders united to address Filipino health issues in the Chicago area. The mission of FACHIC is to increase awareness of Filipino health disparities and to implement health interventions and educational programming to improve the health status of the Filipino community. FACHIC is a 501(c)(3) Illinois nonprofit organization. All programs and services are free and available to all. For more information, visit http://www.fachic.org.

Chicago, IL – September 6, 2012. Interested in learning more about FACHIC and want to become involved in our outreach? The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) seeks both fresh faces and veteran volunteers to help at the Filipino American Community Health Expo on Sunday, October 7, 2012. This free event, sponsored by FACHIC along with the Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology and National Federation of Filipino American Associations, is open to the public.

The Expo will be held at the Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology (3422 Oakton Street, Skokie). Volunteers will assist with operational duties such as checking-in attendees, distributing giveaways, coordination of food, and staffing FACHIC’s informational booth. Last year’s event drew over 125 community members. Please consider joining FACHIC at this community-centric occasion.

FACHIC will gladly accept volunteers of all ages. The event will be from 10 am through 2 pm, with opportunities for 2 to 4 hour volunteer shifts. No prior health professional experience is needed. For more information on volunteering and the Community Health Expo, please contact us at (312) 962-7748 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Filipino American Community Health Expo will be held on October 7 in conjunction with Filipino American History Month. The event is free to the public and will offer physical examinations, screenings, and interactive health workshops. Visit http://www.fachic.org/healthexpo for further information.

The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) is a collaborative of community, health professional, and academic leaders united to address Filipino health issues in the Chicago area. The mission of FACHIC is to increase awareness of Filipino health disparities and to implement health interventions and educational programming to improve the health status of the Filipino community. FACHIC is a 501(c)(3) Illinois nonprofit organization. All programs and services are free and available to all. For more information, visit http://www.fachic.org.