Muhammad Study Group of North Charleston, SC Holds Its 
1^st Annual Health Fair

Due to the various health issues that exist in the black community, from HIV/AIDS, where, according to a 2009 South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control (SCDHEC) annual report, the city of North Charleston, SC, ranks 20^th in a comparison to 102 major cities surveyed*, to hypertension and diabetes, to breast, colon and prostate cancer. Brother DeAndré Muhammad (study group coordinator) and the believers of Muhammad Study Group of N. Charleston, came to the conclusion that something must be done.

On September 24, 2011, the study group held its 1^st Annual Health Fair. The vendors who participated in the health fair provided a wide range of information from: the signs of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, to heart disease, breast, colon, and prostate cancer to high blood pressure, diabetes and glucose screening. Some residents were also tested for how much oxygen they were able to intake. The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities provided information about how the environment can and does affect your health. We also had a physical fitness portion of the program wherein some residents did some mild exercises and Zumba.

The residents of the health fair thoroughly enjoyed it. One vendor said she had never attended a health fair where she was treated so well. Brother DeAndré said, “Our next step is to establish a consistent network of health, resources and services we can trust to help out people in the community. Insha-Allah we will take it to another level next year to have a community walk-a-thon and establish an even larger network of resources for our community.”

The participants and sponsors who supported the health fair were: Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities-Environmental Justice, Medical University of South Carolina-Dept. of Rheumatology & Immunology, Palmetto Project Heart & Soul-Heart Disease-Blood Pressure Screening, Roper St. Francis-Healthcare, Senior Care Advisors-who provided free diabetic shoes and glasses, Tricounty Black Nurses Association, South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control(SCDHEC), J&R Market, Metanoia, Chicora-Cherokee Community Council, Hilton Funeral Home, MUSC-Hollings Cancer Center, Trident United Way, South Atlantic Division American Cancer Society, Port City Ruff Ryder’s, Young Ladies/Leaders Conquering Obstacles.

*SCDHEC HIV Surveillance Report December 31, 2010, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2010. Vol. 21, table 24                  

                        Blood sugar screening                         



Jr. MGT Vanguard helping set up for the Health Fair

 
Blood pressure screening



Zumba Fitness Training

Written by: Bro. Earl Muhammad

Photos by: Sis. Caisha X (Frierson)