The annual Share the Health Fair (STHF) was held at the Downtown Health Plaza on November 4, 2023 from 8-2 pm. This event provides free screenings and services to the underserved populations in Winston-Salem community.
The medical students of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in partnership with Northwest Area Health Education collaborate with the Downtown Health Plaza to provide a centralized location for no cost screenings and services with no insurance needed. This would not be possible without the clinicians, students and community agencies that look forward providing their screenings and services each year.
This year the screenings included Blood sugar, bone density, bike safety, cholesterol, dental health, flu and COVID shots, glaucoma and retina, gun safety, bike safety and helmet fittings, lung testing, mental health, skin screenings, strength and balance, and sexual Health. All participants left the STHF with not only the needed free screenings, but also with needed referral information. Community agencies provided over the counter medications, toiletries and produce to all families in attendance.
The preliminary estimate of STHF attendees is 300+ based on the number of pamphlets that were handed out, but waiting on final count confirmation from the committee’s demographics team. The experiential knowledge of serving the underserved and seeing firsthand the impact of social determinants of health in a community setting was invaluable.
A special thank you to the medical students that are in their second year as the STHF chairs, Walter Duy and Pinyu Chen for their foresight in organizing and coordination the event to meet the needs of their underserved community while providing an opportunity for others to gain valuable insight into their future in healthcare.
Share the Health Fair offered the following FREE health screenings that were open to anyone:
Core health screenings: weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure- Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations
- Blood glucose testing
- Blood cholesterol testing
- Glaucoma and vision screenings
- Sexually transmitted infection testing
- Lung function testing (spirometry)
- Bone density
- Strength and Balance testing
- Dental screenings
- Dermatological screenings
- Mental health screenings (available with private rooms specifically set aside to maximize participant privacy and comfort)
Since its inception in 1998, the mission of the Share the Health Fair has been to provide basic medical screenings and information on healthcare and healthy living for all members of the Winston-Salem community, especially those who may not otherwise have adequate access to these services. It is an entirely student-organized effort, providing a unique opportunity for Wake Forest University School of Medicine students to learn about community health and promote wellbeing within the community that has welcomed us as we pursue medical education.
Share the Health Fair exists to help meet these health discrepancies by minimizing barriers to care, improving social determinants of health, increasing awareness of preventative measures to avoid common chronic diseases, connecting fair participants to options for year-round healthcare, and empowering fair participants with the tools necessary to take their health into their own hands.
