October 10, 2006 > Health is Happiness

by Pushpa Warrier

From October 7-15, Alameda County will hold several workshops in celebration of Binational Health Week designed to support community-based health promotion and disease prevention.

"Binational Health Week reflects coordinated efforts between California and Mexico, and now Guatemala and El Salvador, to improve the quality of life of immigrant families by expanding their access to health care, increasing their health insurance coverage, and reducing their unmet health needs," said Tri-City Health Center event coordinator Susana Peinado.

Highlights of the Health and Happiness event include a focus on health insurance enrollment like Healthy Families, Healthy Kids, Kaiser for Kids, and medical assistance with the supported efforts of Fremont Healthy Start Program and Centro de Servicios. A diabetes forum and an emergency preparedness class offered by the American Red Cross will be offered as well. A presentation of immigration issues with individual consultations will be offered to visitors. Dental, vision (provided by Fremont's new Wal-Mart on Albrae Street), glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings will also be available.

"Improving the health of mobile populations requires multiple approaches in service design, delivery, funding priorities, and most fundamentally, a strong binational commitment," Peinado emphasized.

The opening ceremony includes community members singing the national anthems of all four participating countries. Moises Garcia will sing the Mexican National Anthem, Gracie Ramos will sing the United States Anthem, young ladies will sing the Guatemalan and El Salvador anthems. There will be music and entertainment for all to enjoy.

For more information, call (510) 252-5802 or (510) 471-5907 Ext. 1121.

Binational Health Week Workshops October 7-14.

Monday, October 9
Senior Citizen Health and Local Resources
10 a.m. - Noon
Fremont Family Resource Center
Pacific Room
39155 Liberty Street, Fremont

Tuesday, October 10
Obesity in Children
8:50 a.m. - 9:30a.m. & 10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Guy Emanuele Elementary School
100 Decoto Road, Union City

Wednesday, October 11
Empowerment for Women
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Newark Senior Center
7401 Enterprise Dr., Newark

Thursday, October 12
The Shadow of our Lives: The HIV and Reproductive Health
10 a.m. - Noon
Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center
22331 Mission Blvd. Hayward

Friday, October 13
Healthy Families, Healthy Relationships
10 a.m. - Noon 
Fremont Family Resource Center
Pacific Room
39155 Liberty Street, Fremont

Saturday, October 14
Diabetes Forum
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fremont Family Resource Center
39155 Liberty Street, Fremont

Health Fair "Health is Happiness" 
Outdoor Event
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fremont Family Resource Center
39155 Liberty Street, Fremont