SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento is holding a Health and Financial Resources Fair in recognition of Binational Health Week.
The campaign was created in 2001 to help identify and address health disparities, specifically, in Latino and Hispanic communities.
Every year in October, federal and state government agencies, along with community-based organizations and thousands of volunteers, come together to help provide health services to historically underserved groups and communities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanic health is often shaped by language and cultural barriers, lack of access to preventive care and lack of health insurance.
Additional research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows Hispanic people are almost three times as likely to be uninsured compared to white people.
Hispanic people are also 50% more likely to die from diabetes or liver disease, 24% more poorly controlled high blood pressure and 23% more obesity. To make matters worse, COVID-19 was the leading cause of death for Hispanic people in 2020.
The Mexican Consulate is offering free health screenings to help close the gap in health care. That includes dental, glucose and blood pressure checkups. The Consulate is also providing COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, flu vaccinations and reading materials for people to learn how to live a healthier life.
The health fair will also feature job opportunities, information about how families can protect and grow their finances, and fun activities for children.
Last year, during Binational Health Week, the Consulate served more than 1,500 people with the support of allies and health organizations. That includes Health Education Council, Elica Health Centers, Catholic Charities, UC Davis Mind Institute, One Community Health, Health Net, UC Davis, Alzheimer's Association, Sacramento Covered, San Joaquin County Clinics and Lions Club International.
The Health and Financial Resources Fair is being held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mexican Consulate at 2093 Arena Boulevard in Sacramento. The event is free and open o the public.