BK Reader
  • Neighborhoods
    • Bedford Stuyvesant
    • Brownsville
    • Bushwick
    • Crown Heights
    • East New York
    • Flatbush
    • Fort Greene / Clinton Hill
    • Prospect Heights
  • News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Innovation
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Non-Profit & Community
    • Policy & Government
  • Features
    • Black History Month
    • Community Health
    • Gentrification in Brooklyn
    • Local Voices
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Advertise with Us
    • Write For Us
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Sign up for our daily newsletter!

BK Reader
  • Neighborhoods
    • Bedford Stuyvesant
    • Brownsville
    • Bushwick
    • Crown Heights
    • East New York
    • Flatbush
    • Fort Greene / Clinton Hill
    • Prospect Heights
  • News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Innovation
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Non-Profit & Community
    • Policy & Government
  • Features
    • Black History Month
    • Community Health
    • Gentrification in Brooklyn
    • Local Voices
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Advertise with Us
    • Write For Us
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
BK Reader
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Sign up for our daily newsletter!

Healthfirst Health Expo Transforms Brownsville into a ‘Healthy Village’

Andrea Leonhardt by Andrea Leonhardt
October 10, 2017
in Brownsville, East New York, Featured News, Lifestyle & Culture
healthfirst, health expo, wellness expo, BK Reader, Brownsville, health screenings, mammograms, pediatrists, cardiologist, diabetes prevention, diabetes management, asthma, domestic violence, gang violence, healthy nutrition, nutrition classes, Brownsville healthy village, Van Dyke Houses, Tilden Houses, Dr. Green Playground, kids' zone, free exercise classes
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This year’s health expo attracted close to 4,000 visitors and featured free health screenings, a wellness zone and a fun children’s zone

healthfirst, health expo, wellness expo, BK Reader, Brownsville, health screenings, mammograms, pediatrists, cardiologist, diabetes prevention, diabetes management, asthma, domestic violence, gang violence, healthy nutrition, nutrition classes, Brownsville healthy village, Van Dyke Houses, Tilden Houses, Dr. Green Playground, kids' zone, free exercise classesOn Saturday, Healthfirst took over the Dr. Green Playground for its second annual Health and Wellness Expo. This year, the increasingly popular family event attracted close to 4,000 visitors and featured free health screenings, a wellness zone and a fun children’s zone.

“This community here [in Brownsville] has a high number of residents with diabetes, hypertension and asthma,” said George Hulse, Healthfirst’s vice president of community engagement. “We want to make Brownsville the leading community in awareness and prevention through health education.”

healthfirst, health expo, wellness expo, BK Reader, Brownsville, health screenings, mammograms, pediatrists, cardiologist, diabetes prevention, diabetes management, asthma, domestic violence, gang violence, healthy nutrition, nutrition classes, Brownsville healthy village, Van Dyke Houses, Tilden Houses, Dr. Green Playground, kids' zone, free exercise classes
Free fruit markets had healthy, fresh snacks readily available for the visitors.

In the center of the expo was the health pavilion which offered more than 90 different free medical screenings and had various specialists on site, including a cardiology team and pediatrists.

The wellness zone provided spa treatments and massages, makeup and manicures for the ladies, as well as free barber services for the gentlemen. Fresh fruit markets, cooking demonstrations and a juicing station had delicious samples readily available, coupled with healthy nutrition tips.

An enormous kids’ zone with miniature basketball courts, bouncy houses, face painting, ballon artists and many other fun activities kept the expo’s little attendees very busy. Live entertainment was provided by various performers including RnB groups Tru Sol and Legacy.

healthfirst, health expo, wellness expo, BK Reader, Brownsville, health screenings, mammograms, pediatrists, cardiologist, diabetes prevention, diabetes management, asthma, domestic violence, gang violence, healthy nutrition, nutrition classes, Brownsville healthy village, Van Dyke Houses, Tilden Houses, Dr. Green Playground, kids' zone, free exercise classes
The folks of GrowNYC shared useful information about recycling and sustainability.

The health and wellness expo is an integral part of “Healthy Village Brownsville,” a concept that was brought to life three years ago. Healthfirst approached NYCHA’s Van Dyke Houses resident association about a collaboration to improve the health outcomes of its residents. With the residents’ input, the partnership birthed the idea of “Healthy Village Brownsville” and various other initiatives: Diabetes education, asthma care, tutorial programs for children, initiatives to address domestic violence and gang violence.

The resident’s top priority, however, was a different one: to get the fences surrounding Van Dyke Houses painted.

healthfirst, health expo, wellness expo, BK Reader, Brownsville, health screenings, mammograms, pediatrists, cardiologist, diabetes prevention, diabetes management, asthma, domestic violence, gang violence, healthy nutrition, nutrition classes, Brownsville healthy village, Van Dyke Houses, Tilden Houses, Dr. Green Playground, kids' zone, free exercise classes
Healthfirst’s Vice President of Community Engagement George Hulse knows: “An educated population is a healthy population.”

“It struck me that that would be on top of their list. But then we learned that the fences haven’t been painted in 22 years,” said Hulse. “So two years ago, we came with 75 volunteers from Healthfirst, met by 200 residents [all of whom] began painting the fences around Van Dyke Houses.”

This year, they returned with even more manpower: 90 volunteers were joined by 275 residents. Together they finished the fences around Van Dyke Houses and moved on to the nearby Tilden Houses.

Aside from the occasional community project and the annual health expo, Healthfirst is committed to turning Brownsville into a healthy village; the health care provider offers year-round free nutrition and exercise classes, as well as extensive programming to address issues such as domestic violence or gang violence.

Next year, Healthfirst plans to focus even further on health education to spread awareness and information, moving away from disease management toward disease prevention.

“An educated population exercises, eats veggies and fruits, doesn’t smoke and gets regular medical check-ups,” said Hulse. “An educated population is a healthy population.”

Tags: bk readerBrownsville.
ShareTweetSend

Did you enjoy this story? Please help us continue to bring you Brooklyn's latest local news for free by donating $1 here!

Related Posts

Gabourey Sidibe broke barriers, defied stereotypes and is defining her own success

Feb 18: Black History Maker, Gabourey Sidibe

February 18, 2019
Jackie Robinson was a baseball legend who broke racial barriers and earned a place in the Hall of Fame.

Feb 16: Black History Maker, Jackie Robinson

February 16, 2019
The third annual Prospect Park Soiree is is expected to attract thousands of guests dressed to the nine for a magical summer night.

Dine, Wine and Dance Under the Stars in Prospect Park

February 15, 2019
Feb 15: Black History Maker, Chris Rock

Feb 15: Black History Maker, Chris Rock

February 15, 2019
Load More
Next Post
Arts East New York, BK Reader, ReNew Lots, Brooklyn arts, anti-gentrification, Placemaking Week, Placemaking Week Amsterdam, global urban conference, urban planning, artist incubator, affordable artist spaces, East New York artists, East New York Incubator, Catherine Green, Brooklyn arts programs,

Arts East NY to Present Art and Anti-Gentrification Workshop at Amsterdam Conference

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Result
View All Result
Noel Pointer Auditions
ADVERTISEMENT
BHM Healthfirst 02 - Article
ADVERTISEMENT
Black History Month
February is Black History Month, celebrating the rich history of the African Diaspora in Brooklyn.
Gabourey Sidibe broke barriers, defied stereotypes and is defining her own success

Feb 18: Black History Maker, Gabourey Sidibe

February 18, 2019
Explore Black History Month

Recent Stories

Gabourey Sidibe broke barriers, defied stereotypes and is defining her own success
Black History Month

Feb 18: Black History Maker, Gabourey Sidibe

February 18, 2019
3-alarm fire burns through Fort Greene building containing apartments, businesses
In Other Brooklyn News

3-Alarm Fire Burns Through Fort Greene Building Containing Apartments, Businesses

February 18, 2019
Talib Kweli Kicked Off Valentine’s Weekend With A Love Note To Brooklyn
In Other Brooklyn News Featured

Talib Kweli Kicked off Valentine’s Weekend with a Love Note to Brooklyn

February 17, 2019
Permits Filed for 1694 St. Marks Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
In Other Brooklyn News

Permits Filed for 1694 St. Marks Avenue in Crown Heights

February 17, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Stories

The Brooklyn STEAM Center will provide 300 students from eight local high schools with hands-on training in culinary arts, computer science, design and engineering
Fort Greene / Clinton Hill

Brooklyn Navy Yard Opens State-of-the-Art STEAM High School

February 13, 2019
The $500-million-Brownsville Plan promises to bring many developments and improvements to the neighborhood, but residents want a fair share as community stakeholders
Brownsville

Residents Call for Equity, Transparency in Brownsville Plan at Semi-Annual Meeting

February 8, 2019
The bakery was recognized with 2019 American Classic award which is given to locally-owned restaurants that are cherished for quality food reflecting the character of their community.
Bedford Stuyvesant

Bed-Stuy Trinidadian Bakery and Roti Shop Wins Prestigious James Beard Award

February 6, 2019
Bushwick Generator, Emerick Patterson, blockchain, decentralized communities
Business & Innovation

The Bushwick Generator is Creating a Blueprint for the Future of Urban Tech

February 1, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest from Instagram!

  • You are more in control than you think    exercise your power to say    no     It   s a slow but effective process of elimination  Happy Monday  BK Readers   bkreader  motivationmonday
  • Foster Care Unplugged  The Stage Play is a collaboration between Deus Beni Productions and the Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization Foster Care Unplugged  Every cast member is a current or former foster child  and the storyline is based on their real struggles  Click link in bio to read more       fostercare  foster  fosterparents  acs  adoption  play  fostercareunplugged  bkreader  mybklyn  4usbyus
  • Check it   Have you been by Radical Women BK yet on Jefferson and Tompkins in Bed Stuy  Well  if not  you should stop in this weekend and check out what the buzz is about  In the meantime  here   s an important new message from the co-owners  Repost from  alwayskimhill - My ponytail is installed so you KNOW this is BIG  Guess who   s joining forces with me at my  brickandmortar  radicalwomenbk   gbengaakinnagbe and his amazing brands  liberatedpeople    enitan vintage  And we   re looking for vendors of color who are looking to grow their brands and sing  jamesbrown songs with us   Peep the video and e-mail inquiries to radicalwomenbrooklyn gmail com  No DM   s please   hood hat by brotha  waajeed    blackexcellence  ponytails  diaspora  artists  actors  thewire  gbengaakinnagbe  kim  brooklyn  kimhill  nextofkimbeauty  naturalbodycare  livinginamerica  trayvonmartin
  • Happy Friday and Happy-Day-After-V-Day  BK Readers  Now go snatch up all of those 50  off heart-shaped boxes of chocolates          tgif  positivevibes  goodvibesonly  bkreader  mbklyn  4usbyus
  • Big Daddy Kane  born Antonio Hardy on September 10  1968  in Bedford Stuyvesant  is widely considered one of the most skilled MCs and charismatic entertainers in hip-hop   warmitupkane  Not only was he a gifted lyricist  but he was also a class act  always dressed    to the nines     effectively changing the face of hip hop fashion  To read this story and other local history makers  click our link in bio       bhm  bkreader  mybklyn  blackhistorymonth  blackhistory  brooklyn  bedstuy  4usbyus
  • Brooklyn Baby Sauce         Brooklyn resident  Think you re saucy  Take a picture and tag your location    Brooklyn    with a Brooklyn background or streetscape and you may be featured as our next  BrooklynSauce  as we showcase the diverse and unique flavors of BK   BrooklynSauce  SaucyBK  brooklyn  BKReader  MyBklyn        piccoliny
  • Repost from  cumbedance - CAPOEIRA  for adults at CUMBE  WITH  pena verde capoeira on Saturday   s WEEKLY for all of FEBRUARY  Take class with Pena Verde from 3-4 30PM  Drop-in is  16 and you can pre-register via our linktr ee cumbedance     capoeira  afrobrazilian  africandance  martialarts  africandiaspora  feelthejoy  cumbedance  bkreader  mybklyn  4usbyus
  • The New York City Health Department is cracking down on CBD-infused foods and drinks     with little to no warning for the establishments serving these items  To read story  click link in bio       cbd  cbdoil  cbdlife  bkreader
  • Chocolate lover  Then lay your eyes on this scrumptious chocolate mouse cake  courtesy the Chocolateria bakery  chocolate boutique  coffee shop and wine bar in Park Slope  Brooklyn  Here  they make vegan and gluten-free pastries          chocolateriaparkslope  chocolate  pastries  parkslope  winebar  coffeeshop  veganpastries  glutenfreepastries  bkreader  mybklyn  4usbyus
  • It   s what she wanted   bravegirl And she loves it    Check out the precision cuts at The Self Salon in Billieburg   selfsalon  brooklyn  bkreader  hairsalons r p  rockmamanyc

Newsletter

Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing stories from around Brooklyn, delivered to your inbox each day.

Neighborhoods

  • Bedford Stuyvesant
  • Brownsville
  • Bushwick
  • Crown Heights
  • East New York
  • Flatbush
  • Fort Greene / Clinton Hill
  • Prospect Heights

News

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Business & Innovation
  • Health & Wellness
  • Lifestyle & Culture
  • Non-Profit & Community
  • Policy & Government

Letter from the Editor

Dear Brooklyn Readers,

Americans and their allies forced Germany to deal with its ugly past. The irony is, now, Americans struggle to do the same.

Read More
See Past Letters

Launched in 2013, BK Reader (formerly The Brooklyn Reader) is an online hyperlocal daily news source reflecting the art, culture, business and lifestyle of the fastest-developing areas of Central and East Brooklyn.

No Result
View All Result

2013 – 2018 © The Original Media Group LLC

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise

Privacy Policy  /  Cookie Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Neighborhoods
    • Bedford Stuyvesant
    • Brownsville
    • Bushwick
    • Crown Heights
    • East New York
    • Flatbush
    • Fort Greene / Clinton Hill
    • Prospect Heights
  • News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Innovation
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Non-Profit & Community
    • Policy & Government
  • Features
    • Black History Month
    • Community Health
    • Gentrification in Brooklyn
    • Local Voices
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Advertise with Us
    • Write For Us
    • Contact

2013 - 2018 © The Original Media Group LLC

Logo

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Local News for Brooklyn, by Brooklyn.
Arts, Culture, Health and Innovation.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.