Events set for Border Binational Health Week

  Cholesterol level checks, blood pressure checks, free immunization clinics, medical screenings and free health workshops will be among activities to promote healthier lifestyles in the annual observance of Binational Health Week.

  The observance actually consists of activities taking place over the course of two weeks, from Monday through Oct. 17. Health agencies and organizations in Yuma County and in neighboring San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., will hold free workshops covering health, insurance referrals, and health education activities to improve the health among immigrants and migrants of Latino origin who reside in the United States and Canada.

  "This is a strong effort that is being done for the betterment of health for people who are the most vulnerable (that do not have access to adequate health care or education for healthier lifestyles) that are living in the United States. It's an effort that have many governments involved from many countries," said Manuel Cuen of the Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad, which is part of Mexico's consulate in Yuma.

  "This is a big effort and what we are trying to do is to try and bring topics up that affect the community ... This is an invitation for people who need to take advantage of these services which the majority of them will be free of charge during this time."

  About 40 states of the U.S., three provinces in Canada and Mexican states with high rates of migration will be participating and implementing health activities, according to the news release from the Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad.

  During Binational Health Week, a national campaign will promote awareness among the Latino communities on the topics of obesity, diabetes, HIV, AIDS, autism and emergency preparedness.

  On Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, there will be a workshop for those interested in obesity prevention and educational nutrition classes at Somerton Middle School from 2:24 to 3:45 p.m.

  On Oct. 11, two athletic racing events, as part of binational health week,
will take place. The event is free to the public. Participants won't be disqualified if they don't run throughout the entire race; they can either jog or just walk.

  The first race will start at Friendship park in San Luis at 8 a.m. and the athletic course will be three miles long. The race will cross over into San Luis Rio Colorado, ending at the forecourt of City Hall. The course will be marked and highly secured by local police and fire departments of both sides of the border.

  The public can sign up the day of the event or at participating offices. Medals and trophies will be awarded to winning participants of the race.

  On Oct. 17, the binational youth encounter event will take place and will host the battle of the bands for the public at Joe Orduno Park in San Luis.

  For more information or to participate in the athletic event, apply at any of these participating offices: Consulate of Mexico in Yuma, 298 S. Main St., or call 343-0066; Recreation Program City of San Luis, 965 N. Park Ave., San Luis, or call 627-0156; Sunset Community Health Center, 115 N. Somerton Ave., or call 627-2051, Ext. 1215, or Campesinos Sin Fronteras, 725 E. Main St., Suite 11, 627-1060

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

MONDAY 8:30 a.m.
Inauguration ceremony of Binational Health Week
Friendship Park, Main Street and A Street, San Luis, Ariz.

Binational Immunization Nuestros Niños Campaign
San Luis Walk-In Clinic, 1896 E. Babbitt Lane, Suite D
Contact: Regional Center for Border Health, 627-9222
 
TUESDAY
Meeting of mutual health groups
Centro de Seguro Social del IMSS
Av. Chihuahua y Cerrada Matamoros
San Luis Rio Colorado, Son.
Phone 011-52-653-53-49976

Oct. 8-10 from 2:24 to 3:45 p.m.
Nutrition classes and obesity prevention classes
Somerton Middle School
1011 N. Somerton Ave.

Oct. 10-11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Domestic Violence Awareness
Campesinos Sin Fronteras
725 E. Main St., Somerton
Contact: Campesinos Sin Fronteras, 627-1060

Oct. 11 at 8 a.m.
Transborder athletic race
From Friendship Park in San Luis to forecourt in San Luis Rio Colorado
Contact: Consulate of Mexico in Yuma, 343-0066
Sunset Community Health Center: 627-2025, Ext. 1215

Oct. 13-15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pesticide Awareness
Yuma Private Industry Council
201 N. Bingham Ave., No. 19 Somerton
Contact: Campesinos sin Fronteras, 627-1060

Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon
Domestic Violence Awareness, Judicial System Awareness, forum about Domestic Violence
San Luis Cultural Center
1015 N. Main St.
Contact: Campesinos Sin Fronteras, 627-1060

Oct. 17 from 3 to 9 p.m.
Binational youth meeting, "Connecting with the spirit of your culture to prevent drug abuse"
Joe Orduno Park, San Luis, Ariz
Contact: 627-1060

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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumasun.com or 539-6847.