Taking preventive action

Health fair ‘one-stop shop’

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With 16 tables, hundreds of pamphlets and a lot of information, Rita Johnson hopes the Southland Mall Health Fair on Friday will help participants take strides toward good health and long life.

“I believe in preventive medicine,” said Johnson, who supervises the Southland Mall Clinic.

Johnson likes to think of the clinic as “a one-stop shop” for the community’s health needs, and health fairs like the one she helped organize as temporary hubs where she can arm her community with information.

“I think information is power,” Johnson said. “The more of it you’re armed with, the better off you are ... that’s why I like to give folks a lot of information because sometimes folks fall through the cracks and I don’t want that to happen.”

At the fair, which was sponsored by the Shelby County Health Department, people showed up throughout the morning to get flu shots, lead testing, and receive counseling on anything from what to do after a cancer diagnosis to the benefits of breastfeeding.

Participating organizations included the American Cancer Society, Bridges, Tinder Care, Healthy Start and the Shelby County Credit Union.

“We want you to get everything you need in here,” Johnson said. “We’re here for the whole community.”

Annually the health department participates in 20 to 30 fairs like the one at Southland Mall. Of their eight clinics throughout the county, Southland has the largest case load.

“I am a true believer in public health,” Johnson said. “I believe in the grass roots of it all. If I can get one person to do something for their health, I think I’ve done what I set out to do.”