Free health event for Asians on Aug. 1

 

For Immediate Release:                                                       

July 27, 2009                                                  

 

Asian "守��的健康 /Guard Your Health" Women's Conference

August 1 conference will feature free breast cancer screenings

 

LOS ANGELES � The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in collaboration with community partners, will host a free women's conference on August 1, 2009 to offer educational health workshops and free breast cancer screenings for low-income women and those with no health care coverage. The conference is tailored to Asian and Pacific Islander women, for whom breast cancer is the leading cause of death for those 25 to 64 years of age, according to data from the 2005 Public Health Mortality in Los Angeles County, Leading Causes of Death and Premature Death report.

 

"The goal is to empower Asian and Pacific Islander women to take control of their health through educational workshops on breast health, nutrition and healthy lifestyles," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "The conference will also include free breast cancer screening programs for low income women and those with low or no health care coverage. Women who do not qualify for the free mammogram program will be referred to low-cost mammogram services."

 

Conference attendees will have opportunities to discuss breast cancer with a panel of local researchers, physicians, oncologists, radiologists and Asian breast cancer survivors. Giveaways and free healthy breakfasts and lunches with meal-portion control designed by a registered dietician will be provided. 

 

Special guest speakers include Judy Chu of the California State Board of Equalization and State Assemblyman Michael Eng. Ursula Huang, evening news anchor for LA 18 KSCI-TV, will be the master of ceremonies. This conference is hosted by the Service Planning Area 3 San Gabriel Valley Breast Health Promotion Task Force, a partnership between Public Health, community health advocates and local health organizations serving low-income, uninsured and underinsured populations in the San Gabriel Valley. 

 

The Asian "守��的健康 /Guard Your Health" women's conference will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Arboretum in the Ayres Conference Hall at 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia. The conference will be in Mandarin with simultaneous translation in Cantonese, Vietnamese, and English. To RSVP in Chinese, please call Yuan Lin Lam (626) 281-3383, ext. 125. To RSVP in English or Vietnamese, please call Anh Trinh (909) 868-0246. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

 

 "Regular mammogram screenings provide early detection of breast cancer and can save lives," said Ellen Eidem, director of Public Health's Office of Women's Health. "This conference is especially important because, of all ethnic groups, Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest screening rates for breast cancer. It is critical to look at the health inequities and determine culturally appropriate programs to improve the delivery and outcomes of care."

 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Office of Women's Health provides appointments for free and low-cost mammograms through its multi-language hotline at 1-800-793-8090. To qualify for these services, applicants must be Los Angeles County residents, aged 40 or older, of a low income and either uninsured or whose health insurance does not cover mammograms. Operators are able to assist women in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Armenian.  Visit the Office of Women's Health online at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/owh/index.htm.

 

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.