Chicago, IL – December 27, 2011.  The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) continued its local outreach by hosting its 5th annual Community Health Fair at the Jose Rizal Heritage Center (1332 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago), on September 25, 2011.  FACHIC partnered with the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago’s (FACC) Volunteer Health Services to organize and execute this event.

This event was free and extended to the Filipino community and other ethnic groups for all ages.  Health screenings were provided at no cost by fifteen providers from area hospitals, home health services, and social service agencies.  Screenings included blood pressure, BMI (body mass index), heart and lung evaluation, cholesterol, podiatry, and eye by physicians, medical students and nurse volunteers.  Information was also made available to participants regarding nutrition, physician referrals, and diabetes and cardiovascular  prevention.  Free heart healthy traditional Filipino recipes were distributed.   Licensed clinical social workers were on-hand for free consultations.  Small giveaways and free healthy snacks added to the theme of promoting wellness within the community.

The fifteen providers reported constant activity for the duration of the Health Fair and fielded inquiries past the 1PM event closing time.  Over twenty FACHIC and FACC volunteers helped with participant registration, medical screenings, and informational booths.  Over 125 community members attended the health fair and were able to access free health screenings, health education, and social services.  Said FACHIC volunteer Samantha Sumait, “[Volunteering] made me realize how underrepresented [elder Filipinos] are in our community.  Many asked if there would be another fair soon.”

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