Gilroy
– More than 1,000 community members crowded the Glen View
Elementary School campus Saturday for the second annual Community
Health Day.
Gilroy – More than 1,000 community members crowded the Glen View Elementary School campus Saturday for the second annual Community Health Day.
“It was outstanding,” said Debra Stone, head of the health education department at Kaiser Permanente. “It was bigger and better than last year.”
Since January, several agencies have been working towards one goal: Educating the underserved and uninsured in the community about their health care options.
“We really wanted to provide the resources for those individuals to get insurance and follow up care,” Stone explained. “Sometimes they can’t afford it, and sometimes they don’t know who to ask.”
Health screenings for cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as HIV testing, asthma and nutrition education, vaccinations and dental care were provided free of charge for participants.
Doctors, nurses and mental health professionals, primarily from Kaiser, volunteered their time for the cause. Individuals had the opportunity to “talk to the doc,” where they received check ups and advice for follow up care.
Community Health Day is more than just a one-stop health day because patient follow up is crucial, Stone explained.
More than 70 different health care agencies attended, and many others wanted to participate, but were unable due to the limited space, she said.
Children left with backpacks filled with toothpaste and toothbrushes, and information about the importance of personal hygiene.
The day was made possible after the Gilroy Eigleberry Neighborhood Association donated $4,500 to jump-start funding for the event.
Additional donations from Saint Louise Regional Hospital, The Health Trust, South County Dialysis, Kaiser Permanente, Planned Parenthood and First Five helped ease the financial burden. The Gilroy Unified School District printed 8,000 fliers to get the word out as well.
“We’re only going to get bigger and better as the year goes by,” Stone said.
