Students at Carle Illinois College of Medicine are leading a multi-agency effort to increase access to basic health services, especially for underserved members of the central Illinois LatinX community. Students are partnering with local health and service agencies to bring screenings and basic care within reach of people in Champaign-Urbana who don’t have access to adequate health care.
The CI MED student interest group Campaña de Salud is organizing a health fair scheduled for October 28, 2023, to offer free health screenings and health education to central Illinois residents who may need a helping hand.
“We want to empower attendees to take charge of their health and make informed decisions about seeking further care or making lifestyle changes to improve their overall well-being,” said Campana de Salud Co-Leader Jose Beltran. Spanish-speaking communities in Urbana-Champaign can face barriers to care, including language differences, insurance access, and unfamiliarity with the medical system. “As physician-innovators, we can make a substantial impact on addressing care for underserved communities by adopting a patient-centric approach to innovation. Beyond devices, innovation can make a difference through social innovation, process changes, and advocating for policy changes,” Beltran said.
The fair will offer basic vital screenings such as blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, triglycerides, and A1C assessments, which are crucial for early detection and management of various health conditions and will be partially provided through the student-run Avicenna Health Clinic. “Through this health fair, we aim to have a positive impact by offering a snapshot of individuals' health status through various screenings and educational resources,” said Campana de Salud Co-Leader Daniel Cheah.
University of Illinois Extension will play a pivotal role in the outreach effort by offering comprehensive nutrition education, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will assist with vaccinations. There will also be informational resources on topics including women's health, exercise, and eye health.
Campaña launched its first clinic several years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to temporarily suspend the services. The student group revived efforts last year with a fair in September to mark Hispanic Heritage Patriotic Month. “We wanted to continue the legacy of Campaña de Salud and continue to provide health screenings and education to the Spanish-speaking community in Urbana-Champaign,” said Campana de Salud Co-Leader Nathan Nguyen. Nguyen also says the event will embrace the Spanish holiday of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), with face painting, candy, and ethnic foods.
The health fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Martens Center (1515 North Market Street, Champaign, IL 61820). Groups interested in hosting a booth or providing services can contact a member of Campaña’s leadership team: Jose Beltran, Daniel Cheah, or Nathan Nguyen.