April 6, 2003
Charlotte, NC - The Mecklenburg County Health Department took center-stage at MeckFest this Saturday. For the first time, the Health Department created a Health Pavilion, featuring most of the health services available to Mecklenburg County residents.
Among the services provided from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 5, were free adult health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Also, the Mecklenburg County Health Department School Health Program provided free childhood and adult immunizations from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to those who brought their immunization records. Additionally, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program signed-up people who qualify for the program if they brought proof of income. For more information, call 704-336-6500.
Other activities include free fresh fruit and vegetable samples, healthy recipes provided by the Reach 2010 lay health advisors, and other Health Department displays offers. The Mobile Solutions Health Promotion Bus will also be on hand to provide free HIV/STD testing and confidential counseling.
"The Mecklenburg County Health Department provides services to protect the public's health every day, but the Health Pavilion allowed us to showcase those services in an exciting and family friendly way," said Health Director Peter Safir.
The Health Pavilion was made possible with a grant from GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Corporation. For more information about the Health Pavilion, go to
www.meckhealth.org or call (704) 336-4700.
MeckFest - "A Family Celebration of Your County Government" is designed to teach residents about the services provided by Mecklenburg County Government. It's a free, fun, family event held annually in the Courtyard area of the Government Center at 600 E. 4th Street. In addition to the Health Pavilion and other displays, there was also entertainment and food, pony rides, a petting zoo, and games for the kids. For more information, click on
www.meckfest.org.
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Media Contact: Andy Fair (704) 432-0021 or
fairas@co.mecklenburg.nc.us