CHC Celebrates National Health Center Week On Wednesday

The Community Health Center at Shaws Cove will join sites around the state this week in celebrating National Health Center Week.

The center will host a free health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Services will include free immunization, blood pressure, and dental screenings; information on Medicaid, early detection, and Women Infants and Children programs; diabetes education; and nutrition counseling. The fair will also include a number of family activities such as face painting, raffles, music, demonstrations from the Recess Rocks! anti-obesity campaign, and visits from Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants.

The New London center is one of 12 comprehensive care sites run by the Community Health Center organization, with other services including mobile dental sites and school-based health centers. The center in Meriden is undergoing an expansion, while a new center is scheduled to open in Waterbury in the fall. The purpose of the CHC is to provide medical, dental, and other services to the uninsured, underinsured, or special populations such as those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

According to spokesperson Eliza Cole, the purpose of the events taking place during the week is "to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers as local solutions." She said this year's theme is "Celebrating America's Health Centers: Serving Locally, Leading Nationally" and aims to "underscore how health centers deliver a unique approach that targets health needs and saves taxpayer dollars."