On Saturday, May 11, dozens of southeastern Queens residents gathered at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Hollis for the 3rd annual Southeastern Queens Community Health Fair.
The fair was hosted by Council Member Nantasha Wiliams (D-27), State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-14) and Assemblymember Alicia L. Hydman (D-29). The free event aimed to share resources for community members to learn about living healthier lifestyles.
The health-conscious event offered an array of services to attendees, including free mammograms and dental exams. In addition to the health screening, attendees took home some free giveaway items courtesy of organizations such as Emblem Health, NYU Dentistry, FDNY, New York Presbyterian-Queens and The Child Center of NY.
Council Member Williams explained the positive impact free health events have on the southeastern Queens community. “[Southeastern Queens] Community Health Fair exemplifies our shared commitment to providing our community with accessible resources as well as supporting their well-being. Through partnerships amongst local leaders and organizations, we are able to empower residents of the district with the knowledge and tools to lead healthier lives,” she said.
According to Williams, community health fairs are critical in addressing health disparities, particularly in the southeastern region of Queens. A recent Northwell Health Community Health Needs Assessment of the southeastern Queens area revealed concerning health trends in the area. According to the study, despite having lower rates of preventable heart failure inpatient admissions compared to the state overall, southeast Queens has seen an increase in rising mortality rates from congestive heart failure.
Additionally, the study revealed that residents suffering from diabetes-related complications in southeast Queens had declining rates of self-management education and high blood sugar testing. Also, hypertension-related hospitalization rates are climbing within the southeastern Queens community.
