For immediate release: Sept. 13, 2007
GALVESTON, Texas - A study of attitudes about the hepatitis C virus has led researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston to collaborate with the Catedral de Fe on a community health fair in La Marque.

La Familia, Staying Healthy Community Health Fair for residents of La Marque and Texas City is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Catedral de Fe, 915 Texas Ave. (FM 1765) in La Marque. The fair, which is free and open to the public, promotes prevention through health education and health screenings.

"This health fair grew out of a collaboration based on a research study," said Elizabeth Reifsnider, associate dean for research in the UTMB School of Nursing. "The specific aims of the study were to determine knowledge about the hepatitis C virus, attitudes and risk behaviors, and identify facilitators and barriers to hepatitis C screening and treatment among Hispanic residents of Galveston County."

"Catedral de Fe was so helpful that we wanted to thank them in a material way and also meet a need identified in the research, that many community residents don't get preventive care but rather wait until they are really ill to be seen," Reifsnider said. "This is a way for the church to reach out to its community, for us to thank the church and for the population to get some health care screenings and information as well as create links with UTMB."

Some 20 exhibitors will provide screenings and other services. Among the health screenings offered are glucose, cholesterol, sickle cell, vision and blood pressure. Other activities include a moonwalk for children and door prize giveaways provided by event sponsors. Food will be available for purchase. Water will be provided.

Those who attend may have their questions answered about many health and social services, including breast cancer, diabetes, child nutrition, immunizations, disaster relief, asthma, childhood obesity, English as a Second Language, dental services and the Food Stamp Program.

Exhibitors include the Stark Diabetes Center, Frontera de Salud, Sickle Cell Association, D'Feet Breast Cancer Inc., Galveston County Health Department 4Cs, UTMB Caring Clowns, UTMB Asthma Clinical Research Network, UTMB Student Nurses Association, Galveston County Extension Office, Prevent Blindness Texas, College of the Mainland, Mainland Medical Center Community Outreach, Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services, La Marque police and fire departments, Walgreens, George H. Johnson Jr., D.D.S., Lone Star Legal Aid, Coastal Area Health Education Center, Mainland Children's Partnership Inc., Family Service Center of Galveston County, the Jesse Tree and Galveston County Medical Reserve Corps.

Sponsors include AMF Star Bowling, ATA Black Belt Academy, Bahama Buck's, Becky's Photo Images, Bravos Mexican Restaurant, Cabos Grill, Celina's Hair Salon, Cici's Pizza, Cinemark No. 175, Dr. Yolanda Davila, Extreme Jump'n Party Rental, Food King, Garcia's Grill Mexican Restaurant, Grand Prize Barbeque, Hair Image Beauty Shop, H.E.B., Lulu's Salon & Day Spa, Magic Cuts Beauty Shop, Mainland Tool & Supply, Mall of the Mainland, Paper Factory, Reef Seafood House, Ryan's Grill Buffet & Bakery, Sam's Club, Taqueria El Jaliciense Mexican Food, Waldenbooks and Wal-Mart.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Public Affairs Office
301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.102
Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
www.utmb.edu