On Sept. 24, 2024, Student Health Services (SHS) of NEIU hosted the semi-annual health fair, continuing their mission to promote wellness within the NEIU community. The health fair covered various topics, including nutrition, fitness, mental health and preventative care. 

Several organizations participated, including; 

• Sarah’s Inn, which assists families affected by domestic violence;
• the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Metropolitan Chicago, which offers services to women and families including job skills training, childcare resources and counseling services for gender-based and community-based violence; 
• Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), which aims to help people affected by HIV by addressing their co-concurring conditions such as “HIV stigma, mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness and unemployment”, according to their website; 
• The Friendship Center (TFC),  according to their website, “provides access to short and long-term needs for those at risk of being food insecure”
• Hamdard Health Alliance, according to their flier at the fair, helps individuals “connect to resources and public benefits” such as “Medicaid, social security/disability, SNAP, Housing, Unemployment insurance and U.S Citizenship inquiries”
• And much more.

Each organization’s kiosk provided pamphlets with information about their services and websites for further resources. Some organizations distributed free COVID home-test kits, fliers, bags, cups with logos, hand sanitizers, business cards and other merchandise. For those who scheduled appointments beforehand, representatives were available to assist with health insurance and SNAP applications. 

In addition, attendees received access to STI screenings and follow-ups for diabetes and cancer screenings. Ignorance about STIs may have expedited the epidemic. According to the CDC, in 2022, 2,505,027 STI cases were reported. However, what’s most alarming is that in just a span of five years (2018 through 2022), there has been a 78.9% increase in cases of syphilis for all stages of the disease. While health fairs can’t fully solve these issues, their efforts to raise awareness, educate the public and provide support are steps in the right direction to reduce misinformation and risks. 

Generally, it’s common for students attending such events to feel intimidated. Despite the discussions with experts at the health fair, these conversations can make them feel vulnerable, especially given the ongoing stigmatization of certain health issues. One prime example can include suicide prevention and the willingness one has to go out and receive help. Alumni attendee Aamir Waudiwala highlighted this notion by saying, “Some people think it makes them weak and want attention, but a lot of people have suicidal thoughts and it’s a common thing.”

When asked about some of the health challenges students face and how these health events can mitigate those challenges, Health Education Coordinator Aidon Perera responded, “In general, different mental health challenges that are expressed differently. It’ll look like substance abuse, resorting to violence or unhealthy coping methods. We try to reflect that in our health fair by bringing in mental health folks to share information. And access to health care as well because we get so many folks every year that come to us, and they want the help but they don’t have insurance.” 

Each organization’s representative was patient and passionate about their mission while answering patrons’ questions. Representatives like Jordan Baker, lead program specialist of M Power at TPAN, spoke passionately about giving back to the community. 

Baker explained he got into his current line of work due to a lack of information, such as prevention items like condoms, lube and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), within his Georgia hometown, “I didn’t have anyone to mentor me as well–a queer black male too. So stepping into this was basically me giving a handshake and a hug to little Jordan who didn’t have that kind of exposure.”

Intersectionality is the sociological analytical framework that argues how race, gender and class overlap and create a life experience where individuals face a unique form of discrimination that differs from one another, as a result of history and systemic inequalities. For all of the controversy and debate the concept brings politically between the left and right, the term still seems to resonate with many people of color and members of the LGBT community. 

Baker’s kiosk partner and TPAN’s Outreach Recruitment Specialist Amber Nacyk shared a similar passion with sexual promotion and advocacy work. “I went to school in Indiana around the time of a lot of political changes to the sexual reproductive health landscape,” Nacyk said. “I also come from a sociology background, so the intersections of marginalized groups and sexual health issues that we are combating are completely interlinked.”

Perera emphasized the significance of letting students know that they are not alone and encouraging them to stay engaged and make a difference in, not only their personal lives, but also their communities. “I want them to feel an intrinsic desire to seek out resources. I want them to see that there is help out there and that the help is accessible,” Perera said. “I think it’s easy to dismiss resources and think; I don’t need anything like that.”

Despite the availability of health resources, Perera acknowledged there’s still work to be done in improving students’ access to health insurance, as well as access to food, income and housing. Although these semi-annual health fair events allow students and participants to connect with representatives to apply for benefits, the process can be tedious and complicated. 

SHS’s commitment to eliminating barriers to student wellness is clear. Though the NEIU health fairs occur only twice per academic year, their services are available year-round. For any student navigating college life and health challenges, remember that resources are available on and near campus. In Perera’s words, “the help is out there [and] accessible.”

References

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. (n.d.). Driving economic equity – YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Dignity for all. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. https://ywcachicago.org/economic-empowerment 

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. (n.d.-b). Unleashing youth & family potential – YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Dignity for all. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. https://ywcachicago.org/unleashing-youth-family-potential

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. (n.d.-a). Advancing healing, safety, and belonging – YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Dignity for all. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. https://ywcachicago.org/advancing-healing-safety-and-belonging

Educo. (2019, January 25). Our story, our impact. TPAN. https://www.tpan.com/our-story-our-impact

About. Friendship Center Chicago. (2023, June 14). https://friendshipcenterchicago.org/about/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 30). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/default.htm

Hamdard Health . (n.d.). Get help accessing public benefits.