Preventive health care is always better than maintenance. That’s the underlying message UFV nursing students will be delivering at an upcoming health fair at Cottonwood Mall in Chilliwack.

On Friday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., students will be offering information on numerous topics, from children’s health to diabetes and osteoporosis.

Students will be presenting details on their selected topics through posters, quizzes and pamphlets. Others will be offering interactive opportunities, such as blood pressure tests. They will also be suggesting community resources for those interested in seeking further assistance.

“The point is to engage different ages of the community,” said UFV nursing instructor Sandra Flynn.  “The health fair is a great opportunity to engage people in health promotion, and to focus on something relevant to the community.”

The health fair has been taking place in Abbotsford and Chilliwack for approximately 13 years, said Flynn, with one event running in the spring and another in the fall.

This time, they’re focussing on a wide range of topics, which will be presented throughout the day. The topics are: diabetes prevention, vegetables for kids, preventing high blood pressure, sun protection, caring for children’s teeth, preventing osteoporosis, deterring kids from alcohol abuse, the impact of yo-yo dieting, whooping cough, and nutrition among the elderly.

“From young adults to the elderly, the topics are relevant across the lifespan,” said Flynn. ““The overall target is prevention versus management. Prevention is always the better option when trying to live the healthiest lifestyle possible.”

There are endless possibilities when it comes to preventive health, added Flynn, whether it’s modifying diet or one’s lifestyle for a positive outcome.

While the health fair is a rich source of information for the community, it also provides UFV students an opportunity to practise what they’ve learned in the classroom.

Nursing student Candice Nolan and her group will be discussing diabetes prevention as they feel it’s a particularly important issue in Chilliwack.

“We want to empower and enable people to increase control over, and to improve their health,” said Nolan. “The goal of the fair is to educate, learn from, and build a stronger relationship with the community. This will generate better health for everyone.”

For more information about the event, contact Sandra Flynn at Sandra.flynn@ufv.ca.

For more information on UFV, visit the UFV Today blog at ufvtoday.ca

-30-