OXFORD, Miss. – Educating women about health issues and promoting healthier lifestyles are the focus of a Women of Color Health Expo, set for Friday (Oct. 21) in the Grove at the University of Mississippi.
The event, set for 4-7 p.m., is free and open to all. It will include a “kid zone” with inflatables, activities and treats so that parents can enjoy the expo.
The featured experts are Nancy Hooks, a certified nurse practitioner and owner of Hooks Diabetes & Medicine Clinic in Tupelo, and Mariana Jurss, a registered dietician with RebelWell.
“(I will be) using my heart and hands to heal in health care,” Hooks said.
The racial health disparities for women of color often are linked to access, affordability and not taking preventative measures.
“Our goal is to provide education on certain diseases that are prominent for women of color, such as diabetes, breast cancer and obesity,” said Alexandria White, assistant director for the UM Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, which is sponsoring the event.
“We also want to provide nutritional information to aid in healthier lifestyles. We plan to demonstrate healthy and holistic physical activities such as yoga and Zumba to attendees.”
This event was made possible by a grant the Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement received from the Highlander Research and Education Center.
The Highlander Center, in New Market, Tennessee, was founded in 1932. It serves as an adult education center for community workers involved in social and economic justice movements. Its goal was and is to provide education and support to poor and working people fighting economic injustice, poverty, prejudice and environmental destruction.
Several area businesses also have donated items for prize giveaways during the expo, White said.