September 23, 2011

Contact: Kathryn Holleman
(314) 286-0303
[email protected]

(ST. LOUIS) A program aimed at promoting awareness of health issues globally and locally is sponsoring a free health fair for adults and children from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Ellen S. Clark Hope Plaza at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Adults and children who have limited access to healthcare due to lack of insurance, location or other reasons are encouraged to attend.

The screenings and services available include free blood pressure and blood sugar screening, exercise and flexibility screening, nutritional advice and health information.

Health professionals available at the fair will include Washington University resident physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and physical therapists from Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Healthy snacks will be available. Entertainment will include visits by Fredbird and the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders. The St. Louis City Fire Department will have trucks on hand for children to sit in.

FroYo, Trader Joe’s, the St. Louis Science Center and the Magic House are among the sponsors with booths and handouts for visitors.

The fair is sponsored by the Global Health Scholars in Medicine – a program created by physicians in the Washington University Department of Medicine residency program to develop global health awareness in St. Louis and the world.

The Global Health Scholars program sends resident physicians to volunteer with and learn from underserved populations around the world, including Bhutan, Eritrea and Guatemala, as well as St. Louis. These trips help give physicians a global perspective on health problems that affect communities both locally and internationally.