Annual El Rio health fair coming Saturday
West Side residents can get a free checkup Saturday, including screenings for osteoporosis, cholesterol, breathing, diabetes, high blood pressure, a hearing test, eye exam and other tests.
Students at the University of Arizona are working with the Tucson Parks and Recreation and the El Rio Neighborhood Center to host the yearly fair offering free health services and activities for a healthy life.
"This is the fourth year the College of Pharmacy has run the health fair," said Paul Ponce, a Parks and Rec coordinator. "It's a collaboration to provide information and resources to the community."
Both groups originally had their own independent fairs, and in 2009 joined forces to make the event the biggest health fair that the pharmacy school is involved with, said student coordinator Katie McManus.
"We are able to collaborate inter-professionally, we have the students from audiology who will be there doing hearing screenings as well as representatives from the School of Nursing," said McManus. "So it's a holistic health and wellness event."
Many organizations outside of the UA will also be at the fair, including the YMCA, some women's health groups, insurance companies and local health clinics.
While adults and parents can receive important medical information, there will be activities for children as well. Face-painting, a jumping castle and free booster seats from Tucson Medical Center will be available at the fair.
Adults can have some fun too, organizers said. There will be raffle prizes, and a yoga class for adults.
"Some are donating gift cards, others are actually putting together health and wellness baskets," said McManus, "so we are going to have a wide variety of prizes to win."
For those who bring their prescription medicines, or a list of their prescriptions, medication reviews will be available.
Usually 500-1,000 people attend the annual event, Ponce said.
If you go
- El Rio health fair
- Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- El Rio Neighborhood Center, 1390 W. Speedway
- Bring prescription medications for review. Spanish translators will be available. The yoga class will run from 11 a.m.-noon.
