HEALTH PROMOTION
The Elise Joseph Foundation of Philadelphia convenes the Annual Haitian-American Health Fair to address critical health care needs of Haitian immigrants in Philadelphia. ALL ARE WELCOME.
Lack of access to adequate health services is a significant problem for most Haitian immigrants who call Philadelphia home. There are an estimated 150,000 in the PA/DE/NJ tri-state area. Building upon the success of its previous Health Fairs, the Elise Joseph Foundation, along with sponsors of the event, hopes to raise awareness about health care disparities while educating Haitians and Haitian-Americans about various health issues and available resources.
Healthcare professionals provide blood pressure, cholesterol, dental, eye, and diabetes screenings along with HIV/AIDS and blood sugar testing. The event also highlight the role of fitness, nutrition, and exercise in maintaining good health and address oral/dental care, sexual health, and alternative medicine.
Haitian-American medical doctors: Dr. Julien Sanon and Dr. Patricia Dierisseau eagerly participate by answering medical questions and provide consultation.
Representatives from U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services and other immigration service providers are available to answer immigration and citizenship questions and provide confidential assistance. Haitian immigrants make up a significant part of Philadelphia’s neighborhood landscape and voting public. East Oak Lane, Feltonville, Germantown, Mount Airy, and the Logan sections of North Philadelphia boast the largest concentration of Haitian immigrants.
The second largest group can be found in West Philadelphia, with the remaining groups residing in Northeast Philadelphia and the immediate suburbs of North and West Philadelphia.
The average Haitian American family of four has limited form of health insurance and an average salary of $35,000 a year.
This important event is sponsored by:
- the Haitian Clergy Association of Philadelphia,
- L’Informateur Haitian Newspaper,
- Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs,
- the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Ambulatory Services,
- Eastern University Department of Nursing,
- Explorers Sans Frontières,
- 88.5 FM (sub-carrier) Radio Vision Celeste,
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS),
- HIAS and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia,
- National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NBLIC),
- Philadelphia Corporation for Aging,
- Nationalities Service Center,
- AFAHO- African Family Health Organization and others.
