Williamstown Commons to Mark World Health Day
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Complete with nutritional information, healthful snacks, free blood pressure readings and massages, bending and stretching tips and other resources, the Monday, April 7, fair is the latest in community outreach for the center and its parent organization, Berkshire Health Systems.
"I've worked in health care all my life and I've seen a lot of health fairs. I really thought people would like having their blood pressure taken and the chance to get some information," said Judy Bombardier, Williamstown Commons' director of admissions and community outreach.
Scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event will also feature the BHS Community Outreach Van, which will conduct the blood pressure screenings. There also will be important information about the new state health insurance law.
"We couldn't think of anything better than to reach out and encourage the community to be healthy," said John Krol, a spokesman for BHS. "And that means making sure that they have information about health insurance and making sure they have a few screens to give them an idea about their health."
<L2>The Williamstown Council on Aging, the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Northern Berkshire and Elder Services of the Berkshires will also be providing information about available programs.
"People come in for short-term rehab, so they need information just like everyone else. When they go home, they might not necessarily know what to do so this will give them more information," said Bombardier.
World Health Day was established in 1948 by the First World Health Assembly to mark the founding of the World Health Organization. World Health Day takes place on April 7 annually and serves to raise awareness of key global public health challenges. World Health Day 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of WHO.
"We're trying to get a message of good health out there and hopefully, we can help a lot of people out," said Krol.
Williamstown Commons is located at 25 Adams Road.
