Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE – The Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition (NIHHC) partnered with Winona Lake Grace Church in the annual We Care Warsaw event Nov. 8, offering free health screenings, flu-shots and educational resources to promote community wellness.
The event, held at the Gordon Health and Wellness Center at Grace College, brought together families, service providers and local organizations for a day dedicated to health, hope and connection, according a news release from NIHHC.
NIHHC provided free health screenings to 120 community members, including total cholesterol, lipid panel, glucose, A1C, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure tests. Forty-two percent were Caucasian and 58% were Hispanics.
Participants received their results immediately along with a one-on-one explanation of results by a health care professional, in their language of preference, to encourage them to take control of their chronic conditions. NIHHC’s community health workers, bilingual staff and volunteers were available to help attendees along the process and connected them with health care centers to follow-up care.
The screening results from this health fair highlight the need for greater access to preventive health services and education in the community. Many participants were unaware of their health status. For example, while only 30% self-reported having high blood pressure, screening results showed that 55% were in Stage 1 or Stage 2 hypertension. Similarly, 21% reported being diabetic; however, 33% of participants had blood glucose levels indicating diabetes. Only 25% self-reported having obesity, yet BMI results showed that 37% were in the obesity range and 15% were classified as morbidly obese.
In collaboration with Walgreens, NIHHC also administered 78 free flu shots, helping community members protect themselves and their families during flu season. The youngest was 4 years old and the oldest 87 years old.
One participant expressed gratitude for the free screenings, sharing that although he is diabetic and has health insurance, he still cannot afford to pay for his A1C test. Volunteers also shared that the event allowed them to put the needs of others before their own and provided a change from their daily routines.
This outreach effort aligns with NIHHC’s mission to improve the health and wellness of underserved populations through education, screenings and advocacy. The organization continues to address growing health disparities in Northern Indiana, particularly among Hispanic and low-income residents who face higher risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
NIHHC extends its gratitude to Winona Lake Grace Church, Walgreens, local volunteers and community partners who made the event possible. The coalition remains committed to collaborating with regional partners to advance equitable access to health resources and support healthy communities across Elkhart, Kosciusko and Noble counties.
For more information about NIHHC programs and upcoming health events, visit www.nihhc.com or follow NIHHC on Facebook.
