VACCEB Health Fair
This fall Bone Health Initiative (BHI) made their way to a number of events, one of them being the Vietnamese American Community Center of East Bay (VACCEB). This was an event put on by the VACCEB that provided support to Vietnamese families. BHI supported in a number of ways, but on October 13 BHI’s president, Xammy Nguyenla, and Outreach Head, Saksham Pruthi, came to support the VACCEB Health Fair. The fair took place in Oakland and was a short walk from Lake Merritt.
Our BHI Peer Educators explained a number of things to the Vietnamese population, and were supported by the Volunteer Health Interpreters Organization so that they could understand the visitors that spoke little, or no, English. The language barrier thus did not prove to be an issue. As is seen with many communities: immigrants and those with poor English speaking skills often shy away from health related assistance. A large part of this is because of the inability to communicate effectively. BHI and VHIO’s cooperative actions ensured that a large bay area population received some information on how they can improve or maintain the health of their bones.
BHI took the time to suggest ways to improve bone health, but their mission was to perform risk assessment tests using the American Bone Health (ABH) Risk Assessment Calculator. This calculator prompts the individuals to answer simple questions such their age, sex, race, height and weight are. It also inquires about past and current health, taking into consideration the influence of possible heredity. After the participants answered these questions, their fracture risk was calculated. Depending on where they measured (low, moderate, or high risk), BHI handed out appropriate information on what to do with this risk assessment. This is a beneficial step that may open up necessary conversation between these Vietnamese adults and their health care providers.
The peer health educators had helpful models of the bone structure so that participants could have large and easy to see visuals. This proved helpful for questions about bone health, osteoporosis, and the structure and functionality of bones. Some of the participants of the fair did not want to do a risk assessment, but instead questioned BHI about bone health: such as nutritional balance, exercise, and injury. Others came to explain where they had been feeling pain recently, and the educators encouraged them to see a physician and suggested bone strengthening tips.
BHI was privileged to serve the community at the VACCEB, and hopes to keep connecting the public with bone health information!
