On August 22, 2019, educators, students and residents gathered at Loma Linda University to promote healthy living for all ages and spread awareness about common afflictions brought about through an unhealthy lifestyle, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Loma Linda University School of Public Health and the Drayson Center Office of Preventive Care worked in conjunction with each other to host this years' Health Expo.
Hildemar Dos Santos, MD, DrPH, associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and one of the major event coordinators, spoke on the importance of hosting these fairs and presentations for the community.
“At least today, the main cause of death is not genetic or environmental or something produced by infection, but depending on how you live.”
Dr. Hildemar confirmed that the vast majority of deaths in the world now are related to non-communicable illnesses, and as such, are developed through harmful everyday lifestyle choices -- like smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol, and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, it is imperative for people to become exposed to this information and apply it to their own lives in order for the general public to become healthier as a whole. Through hosting these fairs, the Loma Linda University is performing a tremendous service, aiding people in an urgent endeavor and striving to strengthen the well being of their community.
LLU faculty and graduate students played a large role in manning the various tables and administering the different screenings. Participants were able to choose between a broad selection of different activities, from stress and body composition assessments to blood pressure readings, hand grip strength tests and even a massage therapy table in thanks to the Treatment Center at Drayson. Each booth was strategically instituted in order to provide all individuals a more accurate look into the way they lead their own lives and to help facilitate discourse centering around making healthier choices and decreasing the risk of corresponding ailments.
The event concluded with some of the master’s students lecturing in a seminar regarding obesity prevention. This presentation was one in a multitude of different talks given by Loma Linda University faculty members and their students, centering around differing health related topics, in the week prior they had given a presentation focused on obesity in children.
Indeed, not only did local residents stop by, but the Loma Linda Fire Department made the rounds after their own training in the Drayson Center -- participating in the activities, measuring their own health levels, and showcasing their strong support.
Captain Nate Boucher of the fire department discussed the firemen’s effort and involvement with this particular community event, highlighting their genuine belief in it’s significance and impact. “It is important, not only for us, but in the community that we show support and let all know that health is paramount for everyone -- for quality of life.”
Now, in addition to being an important event for local residents, this exposition and all those done in the past, served as training for part of the graduate students’ public health curriculum. This was an opportunity for them to interact with the very people who may one day seek their counsel and gain proper experience with administering certain evaluations as well as giving advice; thus, preparing these students for work after graduation.
Emily Machuca, a graduate student at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health touched upon her own thoughts concerning the health fair and how it also benefits the university pupils, “If we were to work in community nutrition in the future, these are the things we would be doing. So it’s nice to get a hands on approach and be able to apply the things we’ve learned.”
This health expo provided a dual service for both locals and LLU students and was part of an important hallmark of community health services that will be set for more to come in the near future.