Community Health & Wellness Fair in Early October

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The month of October will kick off with a focus on health and wellness in the Berkshires, as Berkshire Health Systems partners with the Berkshire Family YMCA to host a Health & Wellness Fair for the community.

The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Berkshire Family YMCA in downtown Pittsfield.

"Good health starts with one conversation," said Roberta Gale, RN, BHS Vice President of Community Health. "During this special community event, people can take a walk with a physician, talk to health and wellness experts and learn more about services that can help them stay healthy."

The Health & Wellness Fair will feature on-site health screenings that can help individuals better understand possible health risks, as well as steps they can take to connect to care and services in the community. For example, the fair will offer free screenings for prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and vascular disease. Simple blood draws to test for prostate cancer risk (PSA screening) and diabetes (A1C screening) will be available on-site and providers will be present to perform pre-screening, discuss healthy options for weight management, and offer information about where, when, and how to access specialized tests that cannot be performed during the fair like mammography and colonoscopy.

In addition to screening opportunities, attendees can walk and talk with a physician while enjoying a lap around the gym, work on some simple stretching exercises for all ages, get free chair massages to relax and help reduce stress, and learn how to prepare low-cost, healthy meals during a cooking demonstration. Adults can also bring their insurance card and receive a flu shot on-site.

Family and community resources will be available, including, information from the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), and insurance assistance support from experts at the BHS Advocacy for Access program. The event will also feature displays by community health partners and prizes and giveaways. Berkshire Family YMCA will also offer free childcare and fun kid-friendly activities during the event.

The BHS Health & Wellness Fair is free and open to all.  Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. For more information, visit berkshirehealthsystems.org/community.

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