By Lorenzo W. Snelling | Special to Le Floridien
For impoverished communities lacking access to healthcare resources, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce is bringing free medical care to Little Haiti.
About 60 people participated in the organization’s first annual Health and Wellness Fair on November 18 at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, where doctors, psychiatrists, dentists and mental health specialists were hand to give free health screenings to one of Miami-Dade County’s underserved communities.
The event officially will be held each year in November but other health events in Little Haiti might be scheduled sporadically during 2024.
Dr. Delvena Thomas, a board certified psychiatrist and chair of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Committee, said the fair was brought to Little Haiti because the community was devoid of healthcare resources including screenings for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety, and HIV testing.
Dr. Thomas said Little Haiti residents’ mental health may be impacted by the social unrest in Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
Gangs have taken over the capital of Port-au-Prince, resulting in thousands of deaths, hundreds of kidnappings and cutting off food and other supplies.
“Some people are hopeful but I didn’t witness too much despair,” Dr. Thomas said. “I heard from them and they said it’s hard to get access to medical resources because the community is disenfranchised. Little Haiti seemed like the place for the event.”
During the event, Dr. Nancy Charles Larco screened participants for cardiovascular disease and checked their blood pressure and cholesterol, and offered tips to prevent cardiac-related events.
Dr. Chiona Daniel, a dentist, also was on hand to give free dental screenings, as poor oral health can impact one’s overall general health.
Dr. Daniel said poor oral health can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, heart disease and stroke.
“Periodontal disease can cause low birth weight and premature birth,” she added.
Be Strong International Inc., a non-profit which focuses on strengthening family relationships, gave encouraging advice to participants to help bring their family members closer together.
A member from the organization said sometimes tension can tear a family apart but iron out their differences after they have cooled off could erase estranged relationships.
“Relationships start at home with the basic level of communication,” she said. “Communication starts in the homes.”
Dr. Thomas there’s a disparity in healthcare resources between Little Haiti and other communities because they seemed less significant.
“Often in underserved communities you have churches and liquor stores,” she said. “The community doesn’t include a mental health center or a dentist, or information on living a healthy lifestyle. There’s no places for regular check-ups or a mammogram. The first wellness and health fair brings education to the community and lets folks know they have access to healthcare.
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Dr. Thomas said she would like to see a better turnout for next year.
“November is the time we chose for the event because it’s the end of the year where people are preparing for the holidays being with their families and sharing what they learned about health information,” she said. “By spreading information by word of mouth, we’re hoping more people will come next year. Also, we hope churches will spread the word about the importance of attending the health and wellness event.”
