The adage from Benjamin Franklin rings true today as it was in the 1700s: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

By Mary O’KEEFE

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (VHH) will be hosting “Your Wellbeing. Your Community. A community health and wellbeing fair for the entire family” on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at the hospital’s west parking lot at 1812 Verdugo Blvd. 

The fair will cover all areas regarding a person’s health, whether physical or mental, and there will be free health screenings in a variety of areas including for high blood pressure, glucose, body mass index, vision and balance. 

“Adults will receive intra-oral screenings, blood pressure screenings, anxiety screenings, glaucoma screenings and fitness assessments. Individuals who request screenings will receive their results on the same day as the event,” said Marie Filipian, community benefits manager, USC-VHH. 

Thedepartments represented at the fair include USC-VHH and Keck Medicine nursing, pharmacy, Gero Psych, nutrition, breast surgery, patient and family services, cardiovascular, urology, quality, breast health, community resource center for aging, orthopedics, Alzheimer’s Disease Center, wound care and volunteer services. In addition there will be more vendors associated with USC-VHH community partners.

“Glendale Police Dept., Glendale Fire Dept., CV Sheriff, LA County Fire Dept., ADI Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, YMCA of the Foothills, GCC Nursing, Cancer Support Community, Center for Health Care Rights, City of Glendale Community Services and Parks Dept., Community Center of La Cañada, CV Cares, Kids’ Community Dental Clinic and NAMI Glendale,” Filipian said of the vendors who will be on-site. 

There will also be food from venders including Coffee and Friends, Matcha Lane, Cannoli Sisters, Mis Wrap, Robeks Juice, Rose & Rye Bakery and Selected Sweets. 

“USC Verdugo Hills Hospital believes that the USC-VHH Community Health Fair is a vital part of its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves. The USC-VHH Health Fair provides screenings, education and resources to promote early detection and prevention, which can lead to better health outcomes. This outreach effort helps USC-VHH build trust and strengthen relationships within the community, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to health equity,” she said.

Seven out of 10 U.S. deaths are caused by chronic disease including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, AIDS or other conditions classified by the medical community as preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“[In] a federal program administered by the United States Dept. of Health and Human Services, routine cardiovascular exams alone save tens of thousands of adult lives each year while vaccines save the lives of roughly 42,000 children on an annual basis. Preventive health screenings and primary care consultations have been found to significantly increase life expectancy, particularly among the 30 to 49-year age group,” according to 2016 report with PublicHealth.org

For many, navigating health issues goes hand-in-hand with insurance – what it covers, what it doesn’t and how to choose the right insurance are just some of the questions. The Wellness Fair will be able to help with some guidance in this area as well. 

“Both our Community Resource Center for Aging and the Center for Health Care Rights will be participating in the event,” Filipian said. “They offer assistance with navigating insurance and can provide support and resources for attendees who may have questions or need guidance.”