Housing Authority, Faith-Based Organizations team up for 2009 Community Health & Outreach Fair (watch video) 

April 4, 2009 – Studies have shown that children and individuals from low-income families are more likely to have poor diet as well as poorer health than their counterparts with a higher socioeconomic status.  To bridge the gap, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) teamed up with Beloved ministries, Grant AME Church, Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Watts Gangs Task Force, World Vision and other organizations to provide the Jordan Downs community in Watts with essential health screenings.

The 2009 Community Health & Outreach Fair allowed families in Watts to get access to important health information.  Free diabetes and blood pressure screening, and other health services were provided to the residents. Health professionals passed out brochures and educated the community on health matters and referred them to other resources available in the community. Residents were excited and pleased to have this service available to them at Jordan Downs. 

A person’s ability to avoid risks and minimize consequences of disease is largely related to the resources and relevant health information available to them, according to medical professionals. Therefore, by educating the community on the resources available to them they become empowered and can take steps to lead a healthy life.  Nurses passed out information on symptoms and causes of high and low blood sugar levels, how to eat healthy, how to lower cholesterol levels, how to monitor blood pressure among other health topics.

Representative from South Los Angeles Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program were also present to inform the residents about the assistance programs for children under the age of 5 and pregnant women.

“I want to go to Charles Drew University to receive health education with plans to serve the low-income people in this area.” said Jordan Downs resident Jaime Leonel Hernandez.

Grant AME church held a book giveaway for children and volunteers painted children’s faces.  A trackless train took the children for a ride around the development.