"Building a Better You"

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Center of Excellence in Integrative Health Disparities and Equity Research (CIHDER) and the Cone Health Center for Health Equity will host a “Building a Better You” community wellness fair Saturday, June 29.

The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Corbett Sports Center on the N.C. A&T campus, 405 N. Benbow Road, Greensboro.

The fair is part of the “CATCH 5 In 5” – or Collaborative Action Toward Community Health – initiative, which aims to close the life expectancy gap by five years within five years for residents in East Greensboro and other areas, who face more health challenges and shorter lifespans compared with people living elsewhere.

“Most know that having access to high-quality health care positively impacts our health. Yet, people are often unaware that social and environmental factors determine about 80% of our health,” said Stephanie Teixeira-Poit, Ph.D., CIHDER associate director of community engagement, Social Justice and Health Equity Lab director and associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at A&T’s John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences.

“At this community wellness event, we hope to help address both health and social needs of community members,” she said. “Addressing these needs is critical to closing the 15-year gap in life expectancy we have in our Greensboro community.”

A&T actively collaborates with Cone Health to create a framework that expands opportunities for future cooperation at a time when the university is expanding its clinical degree offerings and advancing multidisciplinary team research approaches to alleviate health disparities.

Saturday’s fair will feature more than 60 exhibitors who will provide attendees with the information and connections they need to live longer, healthier lives.

It also will offer free essential health care screenings and resources for nutrition, mental health, prescription needs, family and caregiver services, transportation, employment and more.

Entertainment and children’s activities are part of the fair, along with free lunches on a first come, first-served basis.

Attendees must abide by Corbett Sports Center’s clear bag policy.

General parking will be available in Lot G1, behind the General Classroom Building and Paul Robeson Theatre, ADA accessible parking will be between Haley and Campbell halls, and additional parking and shuttles will be in Lot 17 behind Alvin V. Blount Jr. Student Health Center at North Benbow Road and Bluford Street.

CIHDER, housed in the Hairston College, also is hosting the All of Us HBCU (historically Black college or university) Road Tour on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fair attendees are invited to participate in that event, as well.

For more information about “Building a Better You,” email Teixeira-Poit at steixeirapoit@ncat.edu.