Black Med Students: 3rd Annual Community Health Fair

By Dianne Anderson Having to scale countless hurdles of the healthcare system is probably one reason why so many Black patients duck and dodge regular checkups, but an upcoming Orange County health fair may eliminate some of the disdain for what’s stopping them. Discrimination in medicine. First-year UC Irvine medical student Leia Salongo senses the need to serve the Black community in ways to help regain trust in the health system that has historically robbed them of well-being. “I feel like it’s generational, a lot of the feeling that apprehensiveness of seeking healthcare is passed down because of the experiences. That’s one of the goals of this health fair, in seeking all students of LEAD ABC and all Black aspiring doctors who will hopefully create that bridge, and start to work to earn back the trust of our community members,” said Salongo, co-organizer of the healthcare event to be held at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Anaheim. There, numerous resources and follow-up services build off prior outreach events, including blood pressure and diabetes screenings, stroke prevention and heart health, with topics covering pediatrics, and how to improve diet and exercise. The free health fair will connect UCI Black medical students...