The largest health and music-inspired festival of the year, Feria de Salud, hosted by the American Diabetes Association, is returning to Bronx on Saturday, August 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Feria is a free community event intended to educate the neighboring Hispanic community about the importance of adopting and managing a healthier lifestyle for the entire family through music, food, and advocacy. This event will take place at Hostos Community College (500 Grand Concourse) in Bronx, NY.
Feria de Salud will offer an array of life-saving and life-altering complimentary health screenings, educational workshops, healthy cooking demonstrations and exercise classes. Screenings include, but are not limited to: blood pressure, glucose, foot screenings, cholesterol, vision, dental, hepatitis C, BMI and HIV.
“The American Diabetes Association’s Feria de Salud continues to positively impact thousands of people in the Latino community, which is disproportionately affected by diabetes,” said Helene Velazquez, director of community health strategies for the Association. “One of the most critical components of successful treatment and an improved quality of life, is education. We provide individuals with easy-to-understand health and wellness information to help them prevent diabetes or live better with it.”
Nearly 15% of Latinos in New York City have diabetes, and may more have prediabetes. In fact, studies show that by 2050, 1 in 2 Latino and African Americans will have diabetes if more preventive measures are not taken. Many lives are saved by these free screenings and services, and when life-threatening health concerns are detected on site, the American Diabetes Association provides a free ambulance service to emergency rooms.
For additional information on Feria and the American Diabetes Association, please visit diabetes.org/newyork.
Feria de Salud is sponsored by Aetna, Novo Nordisk, Merck, Univision, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, AARP, MetroPlus and Affinity Health Plan.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes with its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by all forms of diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives a voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission was, and is, to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
