| One determinant of a healthy and progressive nation is | | | | The event proved to be a success as almost 700 |
| healthy individuals. These individuals, in turn, make up | | | | people attended it. This is according to Rosie Sherrow |
| the community which turns into a nation in terms of | | | | of the Institute for Public Health and Education |
| economic and social interactions. One good way to | | | | Research (TIPHER) where she is the fitness and |
| promote health and wellness is through health fairs that | | | | health coordinator. The event is on its 5th year running |
| provide the basic health services. This is done to | | | | and has been helping the people all the while. One who |
| ensure that the basic health needs of individuals are | | | | attended and benefitted from the said event was |
| met and community programs are implemented. | | | | Awilda Ramos. She shares that she learned so many |
| In connection to this, the Fitness Fiesta Health Fair | | | | things like the importance of exercise as well as |
| Saturday at the Westside Community Center provided | | | | learned about the other services that the community |
| basic health services to the residents of New | | | | offers. She also said that fairs like this serve as the |
| Braunfels, Texas. Several booths were set up to | | | | venue for information dissemination as she got here |
| discuss diseases and other health programs like | | | | free parenting classes. |
| speech disabilities in children and health advice in early | | | | One good way to living a healthy life is by equipping |
| childhood. Parenting classes were also held during the | | | | yourself with health information. Information on healthy |
| day's affair. The booth for the American Cancer | | | | foods and proper exercise are vital in keeping yourself |
| Society, sponsored by Bob Peterson, handed out | | | | healthy and fit. Another important factor to be |
| pamphlets about the early warning signs for cancer. | | | | considered in staying healthy is monitoring your health. |
| The health fair also provided free medical health | | | | On the average, a person will have to pay about $300 |
| screenings like blood tests. Free transportation to | | | | on annual tests every year. To some, spending this |
| hospitals in New Braunfels, San Antonio and Seguin | | | | amount is quite hard on the budget. This now comes |
| were also provided by Peterson and other volunteers | | | | the benefit of health fairs. In addition, weight loss |
| for diagnostic tests and treatment. These were part of | | | | information is also being tackled during such events. |
| the American Cancer Society's program on cancer | | | | Take advantage of these services and start living a |
| patients. | | | | healthy life. |