WILTON MANORS, FL – Rainbow Ladies-Our Space, Beta Phi Omega Sorority, ARROW, Inc. (Area Resource and Referral Organization for Women: Targeting LBT Women’s Health) will be holding a Women of Color Health Expo on Saturday, September 24 at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This health expo offers education and screening resources for lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (LBT) women of color, an underserved and at risk population for many health challenges.
This is an historic event as there has been no prior health promotion activity undertaken within Southeast Florida explicitly for this population. Federally-funded research has shown that LBT women experience barriers to health care which create many high risks including: breast cancer, gynecological cancers, heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes and impaired mental health.
Organizations which will offer health promotion education and screenings at the event include: Broward County Department of Health, Memorial Regional Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Broward Community and Family Health, YWCA Family Wellness Program, Community Life Support, The Beautiful Gate plus others.
The following are areas of specific focus:
1) breast and cervical cancer, 2) hypertension, 3) diabetes, 4) STDs and HIV infection.
In addition, alternative and complementary medicine practitioners will be present. Free clinical breast exams will be provided, as well as screening for HIV infection, plus blood sugar and cholesterol. As special opportunities, “stress busters” and self-defense workshops for women will also be presented.
All women are welcome to attend this event and receive health promotion information plus free prevention screening.