Community groups in the region will give residents an opportunity to catch up on their health screenings this week in free events aimed at encouraging neighbors to prioritize self-care.

Mammograms and vaccinations will be offered, exercise classes are scheduled and health information will be distributed at the events hosted at Lovett Memorial Library in Mt. Airy and Arcadia University in Glenside.

The Community Health Fair in Mt. Airy will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb.2, at the library’s location, 6945 Germantown Ave. Pre-registration is required for mammogram screenings, which will be available to residents who are at least 40 years old and have not had a mammogram within the last 365 days. No insurance is necessary. Eligible residents must have a prescription for the procedure, but if a resident does not have a personal care physician and does not have insurance, health professionals on duty at the event will provide a prescription.

For vaccinations, insurance is required for shots to combat the flu, RSV and the COVID booster. Local organizations and healthcare providers will also offer giveaways and distribute health information at the Mt. Airy event.

The health fair is sponsored by the library in partnership with East Mt. Airy Neighbors, Acme, Sen. Art Haywood’s office and Jefferson Health.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, community groups will recognize Black History Month and American Heart Month, with a “Go Red for Women: Heart Truth Health Event” at Arcadia. The event is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Great Commons Room, 450 S. Easton Rd.

The health seminar will focus on heart disease which is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. More than 60 million women are living with some form of heart disease and in 2018, heart disease was responsible for more than 1 out of every 5 deaths for women in the U.S., the department said. African American women had the highest rate of death due to heart disease and are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than white women. 

Event organizers say that many women fail to make the connection between risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, as personal risk factors in developing heart disease.

At the Arcadia event, Dr. Delana Wardlaw, of Temple Health, will deliver the keynote speech and guest speaker, Janet Williams, of The Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation, will discuss the importance of screening for heart disease and how to manage heart care.

Workshop subjects include the history of Black nursing leaders and a session that will encourage attendees to pledge to live a healthier lifestyle.

Health professionals also will offer free screenings, flu vaccinations and CPR demonstrations. Vendors will include the BeYoga Wellness Network, Miriam Medical Clinic, Keystone First VIP, and Nurses of Save Your Side. Event sponsors include Arcadia, Girls on the Run of Southeast Suburban PA, the National Council of Negro Women’s PA Delaware Valley Section and the Southeastern Pennsylvania area chapter of the Black Nurses Association.