La Oferta

March 29, 2024

Santa Clara County kicks off 18th Annual Binational Health Week with October 1st Health Fair

Fotografía cedida por Kaiser Health News (KHN) . EFE/Jenny Gold/KHN

Santa Clara County,  Calif. Sept 30, 2022–  With an emphasis on “reconnecting to your health,” the 2022 Binational Health Week gets started in Santa Clara County on Saturday, October 1, with free health exams, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations, and more. The free health fair kickoff event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eastridge Mall in San José.

Now in its 18th consecutive year, Binational Health Week is hosted by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department in partnership with the Consulate General of México in San José, Santa Clara Family Health Plan, dozens of community partners, and hundreds of volunteers.

Ambassador Alejandra Bologna Zubikarai, Cónsul General de México in San José, said:

“In the spirit of health without Borders, the objective of Binational Health Week is to mobilize community clinics and organizations to offer their services, promote disease prevention and health promotion services designed for migrants, their families, and the Latino community. The Binational Health Week has stood out for being one of the most important institutional efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, which in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the network of 50 consulates in this country have facilitated access to education, information and health services for the Mexican community in the United States.”

What used to be a week-long celebration has transformed into a month-long series of health activities and educational events bringing together federal, state, and local agencies; community-based organizations; and volunteers to raise awareness and respond to the unique health challenges of Latinx individuals in the United States, especially those without medical coverage. This year’s focus includes mental health and managing stress; recovery and resources; healthcare access, screening, and preventative care; as well as nutrition.

“The Latinx community in Santa Clara County continues to experience health inequities, and new and emerging diseases like COVID-19 and MPX have shown how much work is still left to do,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer for the County of Santa Clara and Director of the Public Health Department. “Efforts like Binational Health Week are an important and necessary part of connecting individuals to the resources and services they need. We are grateful to partner, once again, with agencies and local community organizations who share the mission of a healthy and thriving Santa Clara County.”

The events in Santa Clara County are part of the larger Binational Health Week effort created in 2001, evolving into one of the largest mobilization efforts in the Americas to improve the health and well-being of the underserved Latinx population.

“Santa Clara Family Health Plan is honored to support Binational Health Week as it helps our community prioritize their health this October,” said Christine M. Tomcala, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Clara Family Health Plan. “As a local community-based health plan serving more than 315,000 Santa Clara County residents, we understand the critical role community engagement plays in improving health outcomes and addressing social needs. Binational Health Week is a vehicle for helping residents connect to trusted community resources and providing the tools for people to be advocates of their own health.”

Last year, the County’s Binational Health Week provided 563 health screenings, 487 COVID-19 vaccinations, and 352 flu shots. Community partners and community members helped this event reach more than 510,000 people living and working in Santa Clara County since its inception in 2005.

Key upcoming events include:

BHW Kickoff Event
October 1, 2022
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Eastridge Mall, 2200 Eastridge Loop, San José, CA 95122

Inauguration of Binational Health Week
October 3, 2022
10 a.m.
Consulate General of México in San José, 302 Enzo Dr #200, San José, CA 95138

Story Road Hub Monthly Resource Fair Kickoff
October 14, 2022
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department Story Rd Hub, 1775 Story Rd, San José, CA 95122

For more information on 2022 Santa Clara County Binational Health Week activities, visit sccBHW.org