OIC Hosts Health and Wellness Fair to Promote Health Literacy!

By Blair L | June 13, 2016

OIC of Oklahoma County is hosting their first Health and Wellness Fair to promote Health Literacy on Wednesday, June 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the OKC-County Health Department’s NE Regional Campus, 2600 NE 63rd (between M.L. King and I-35).

Map to Oklahoma City-County Health Dept.

Our Goals:

  • Make Health Literacy For Those With Chronic Disease Accessible
  • Identify Those Who Have High Blood Pressure, Diabetes or Asthma and help manage the conditions

“One in five Oklahoma City residents have a basic reading level which makes health literacy a critical issue in our area.   If you are unable to understand what you read, how can you negotiate our health care system?” said Blair Lanning, OIC’s Health Literacy Coordinator.    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds those who are dealing with limited literacy skills are more likely to have chronic conditions and are less likely to manage them effectively, which puts them at higher risk of a stroke or heart attack.

In 2015, the United Health Foundation ranked Oklahoma in the bottom five least health states, 45th overall.  “This is one of the reasons the Oklahoma Department of Libraries got involved with health literacy,” said Leslie Gelders, Literacy Coordinator with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Highlights of OIC Health Fair:

  • Health and Wellness screenings
  • Mental Health screenings
  • Healthy Food Cooking Demonstrations
  • Food Trucks with healthy choices
  • Blood Drive  8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Vendors can call 405-235-2651 to reserve a space.

OIC’s Health Literacy program is made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.  Other funds are from the Library Services and Technology Act and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

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