Community health event planned at Oscar Frazier Park

A community health event offering free screenings, wellness resources and family activities will take place March 21 at Oscar Frazier Community Park in Bluffton.

The 5th Black Family Wellness Expo, organized by the Hilton Head chapter of The Links Inc. in partnership with the Hilton Head-Bluffton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park, located at 10 Recreation Court. The event is free and open to the public.

Organizers say the expo is designed to help address health disparities that continue to affect many communities, including higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes remain leading causes of illness statewide, with preventive screenings and early detection playing a key role in improving outcomes.

The event will offer free health screenings including blood pressure checks, diabetes and A1C testing, cholesterol screenings and prostate-specific antigen testing. Breast health education, dental exams and oral health resources will also be available.

Other activities include CPR demonstrations, automated external defibrillator training, nutrition education, cooking demonstrations and fitness activities. Line dancing, door prizes, children’s book giveaways and family entertainment are also planned. The event will also include a community blood drive, free food and voter registration opportunities.

Magician Magic Marc will appear as a special guest to provide family entertainment during the event.

Several community organizations are partnering in the expo, including Beaufort Memorial Hospital, the American Red Cross, Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island and the National Black Nurses Association.

Organizers encourage residents from Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and surrounding communities to attend and take advantage of the available screenings and health resources.

The event is part of a national wellness initiative promoted by The Links Inc., a nonprofit service organization founded in 1946 with chapters across the United States and internationally. The Hilton Head chapter was chartered in 2017 and serves the Lowcountry through volunteer programs and community partnerships.

More information is available at linksinc.org and hhlsclinks.org.