Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) hosted his sixth annual ‘Green Light to Healthy Living’ health fair at Houston’s Westbury High School. The event provided free immunizations and health screenings to approximately 300 residents of the Texas Ninth Congressional District.

          “Health care is for the welfare of all. This is the sixth year we have organized this health fair because our goal is to meet the needs of the community. We want to make sure that, to the extent we can provide it, all who need health care can get health care,” said Congressman Al Green during the opening of the event.

          Congressman Green added: “Health care is for the benefit of both employers and employees because productivity is higher when the workers are healthy.  The wealth of a nation can be measured by the health of a nation.”

          Participating vendors provided immunizations for diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis. There were also dental screenings and tests for diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, as well as for HIV.  

           “Events like these are important because they provide check-ups and preventive care that may prevent trips to an emergency room, which could become very expensive for the patient, as well as for the community. Further, the children who are here today will have the advantage of having a healthy start to the new school year,” commented the Congressman.

          Earlier this year, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. The Affordable Care Act will lower health care costs, guarantee more health care choices, and enhance the quality of health care for all Americans. In regards to the new law, Green stated: “It represents a crucial step for our nation because, among many other important measures, it will provide primary care for most and will end the injustices associated with the concept of pre-existing conditions.” 

             The event also provided the opportunity for health professionals who focus on research to connect with the community. Jason Reed, who currently works as an investigative pharmacist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, operated one of the booths that performed blood pressure and cholesterol tests. “These events are important because they provide highly demanded check ups for people who often have these chronic diseases. It is definitely a benefit for the community,” Reed said.

             Health fair vendors included: The Harris County Hospital District, Community Health Choice, the City of Houston’s Mayor’s Assistance Office, Hospice Care, Texas Southern University’s School of Pharmacy and Dental School, the University of Texas’ Dental School, Project LIFT and Project WAVE, among many others.