Community Health and Wellness Fair
Dillard University and the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic are partnering to host a community-wide health fair on September 27 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Dillard University Professional Building.
The event provides attendees with free access to medical services, such as health screenings, financial advice, and accessible resources.
Created as part of the "Improving Health Through Music" initiative, the fair blends medicine and jazz. Some of the Big Easy's top jazz artists are slotted to perform, including Girls Play Trumpets Too, Untitled Jazz Band, and Elijah Hartman.
Available Medical Services
At the Community Health and Wellness Fair, medical professionals will be providing routine testing for frequent ailments, such as diabetes and hypertension. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that approximately 38.4 million Americans suffer from a form of diabetes. In another study, the CDC writes that nearly 116 million Americans have high blood pressure, which may result in heart disease or stroke.
Along with checking vitals and labs, the fair is offering prostate cancer screenings and skin health observations, as well as preventive measures against the most common cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends that patients undergo prostate cancer screenings once every one or two years. Harvard Medical School suggests that patients undergo annual or biannual skin examinations to protect against skin cancers, such as melanoma.
Dental professionals will provide free inspections to attendees, checking for potential cavities or tooth diseases. Rapid testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis will be available, allowing patients to receive results in as little as 10 minutes. Combined, the three infections occur in hundreds of Americans each year and can have devastating long term effects.
Additional Resources
Dillard University and New Orleans Musicians' Clinic understand the importance of accessible healthcare. The Community Wellness Fair will assist attendees in enrolling for Medicare and Medicaid. Information about the requirements and applications for Medicare and Medicaid can be found on the Louisiana Department of Health's website.
As hurricane season continues into November, the Community Health and Wellness Fair hopes to ease community-wide fears with lessons on hurricane preparedness. For the latest on the tropics, visit the National Hurricane Center's website.
About the Organizers
The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Assistance Foundation is dedicated to securing health services for the Crescent City's best musicians. The clinic has a range of programs and treatments for the city's creatives, from chronic pain management to need-based aid.
The collaboration with Dillard University—a leading historically Black university in the heart of New Orleans—is the newest addition to the clinic's extensive list of programs. For more information about the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Assistance Foundation, visit the nonprofit's website.
