23 February 2013
HEALTH: RCC will be hosting the Health Fair this saturday. Following last year’s tremendous success, RCC will again host the Riverside Health Fair, where local residents can receive free medical, dental and vision care.
In order to make sure there is not a repeat of last year where hundreds of people were denied service, this year’s event will be double the size. The event will be taking place on February 23. Medical teams will fly in all the way from Sacramento to make sure people get the attention they need and deserve. “There’s a tremendous need,” Yolanda Esquivel, chairwoman and co-sponsor of the health fair and a member of the Riverside chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said. LULAC also co-sponsored the inaugural October 2011 fair. “People are hurting,” Esquivel said. “Some of them don’t have jobs. Some have low-paying jobs and can’t afford to buy insurance. And some might have health insurance but can’t afford dental and vision coverage.” The Inland region shows that 20.4 percent of residents, almost 870,000 people, do not have health insurance, compared to the national average 15.1 percent of residents, according to 2011 U.S. Census estimates. The Inland region also lacks in the number of clinics and available doctors compared to other regions such as San Francisco, San Bernardino, or Los Angeles. This causes a big issue in the high number of patients that will receive a check-up on February 23. The highest demand seems to be for dentists, last year the most prominent need was for dental care. But other services that will be included are HIV testings, health workshops, fitness demonstrations, eye check-ups and much more. The health fair will be open to everybody; Poly students are welcome to come either for a check-up or to volunteer. Information: When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 Where: César Chávez Community Center, 2060 University Ave. Volunteers: To offer help, call 951-801-2570 or arrive at the center before 7 a.m. Saturday. Dental professionals are especially needed and can call 925-577-9233