April 3, 2003

SATURDAY'S MECKFEST DEBUTS HEALTH PAVILION AND FEATURES SCREENINGS, IMMUNIZATIONS AND MORE

Charlotte, NC - The Mecklenburg County Health Department takes center-stage at MeckFest this Saturday. For the first time, the Health Department will create 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, are free adult health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Also, the Mecklenburg County Health Department School Health Program will provide free childhood and adult immunizations from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to those who bring their immunization records. Additionally, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program will sign-up people who qualify for the program if they bring 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 allows us to showcase those services in an exciting and family friendly way," said Health Director Peter Safir.

The Health Pavilion is made possible with a grant from GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Corporation. For more information about the Health Pavilion, go to http://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 in the Courtyard area of the Government Center at 600 E. 4th Street. In addition to the Health Pavilion and other displays, there will also be entertainment and food, pony rides, a petting zoo, and games for the kids. For more information, click on www.meckfest.org .