The 8th Annual Fall Health and Wellness Fair was held at Alcorn State University in the Ballroom of the James L. Bolden Union on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
At the event there were several tables that were set up throughout the Ballroom with people from different organizations throughout the state of Mississippi who were representatives of their particular organization. This event provided students, faculty and staff with valuable information in regards to many health diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Diabetes and many others.
Presenter Letisha A. Villes, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Spring 2018 graduate, collaborated with the H.E.R.O.S. (Health Educators Researching Other Students) to provide information regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). “STD’s refer to more than 35 infectious organisms that are transmitted primarily through sexual activity. STD prevention is an essential primary care strategy for improving reproductive health. Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a major concern for women and men of all ages but are especially troublesome to younger females as this population tends to be less knowledgeable of many harmful effects that occur secondary to these infections,” stated Villes.
In attendance were representatives from the Claiborne County General Health Center, Jefferson County Comprehensive Health Center, Orianna Health Systems, the Mississippi State Department of Health, Merrit Health and Active Minds just to name a few. Dr. Geraldine Young, Assistant Professor in the Department of Graduate Nursing at Alcorn State University, also had a table that offered education and screening for Diabetes, Breast Cancer and Kidney Disease. There was also a representative from the financial services firm Edward Jones, Alford Perryman, who is a financial advisor that gave advice to the attendees about the importance of starting up an investment account while they’re young and the importance of getting life insurance. These representatives handed out flyers, pamphlets and gave information and answered questions to those in attendance.
Morgan Stuggs, a Sophomore Psychology major, stated, “I think it’s good for black people to educate themselves more about certain diseases that we, as a people, are at risk of contracting and an event such as this is an invaluable tool of knowledge. ”