April 29, 2003

Continuing its tradition of promoting health care in minority communities, San Francisco State will host its 10th annual African American Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday on the campus quad in front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center.

The event, which is for students, faculty and staff, focuses on health issues of particular concern in the African American community, including diabetes, prostate cancer, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Its goal is to create greater awareness of health practices and risks and to improve access to health care.

Kamal Harb, a health educator at the Student Health Service, has been involved with the fair since its inception. He said the University initiated the health fair because "most of the health fairs were targeting the majority." More recently, he noted, federal studies have confirmed that African Americans and other minorities "were not getting appropriate health care."

More than 30 agencies and groups will be on hand to provide information about healthy lifestyles, community resources, disease prevention and self-care. The health fair will feature screenings for HIV/AIDS, blood pressure (above), glaucoma (right) and the sickle cell trait. Participants can also measure their body fat and cholesterol levels and receive smoking cessation tips. About 800 people attended last year's health fair.

Associated Students, the Student Health Advisory Committee, and Student Health Service, and Counseling and Psychological Services are sponsoring the event.

For details, contact Kamal Harb of the Student Health Service at (415) 338-2191 or Derethia DuVal of the SFSU Counseling and Psychological Services Center at (415) 338-2208.