By WAYNE ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer
The Portsmouth Inner City Development Corporation held a community health fair at its Waller Street office on Saturday to promote healthy lifestyles. The event was held in conjunction with Minority Health Month.
“This is our fifth year of having the community health fair. We do this every year to educate the community,” said Maxine Malone, executive director of Portsmouth Inner City Development Corporation.
Mary Sanford, a retired registered nurse and a volunteer with Portsmouth Inner City Development Corporation said education is key to a healthy community.
“The health of the community is very important. If we are healthy, we live longer and better lives. Knowledge is power, so if we educate our people hopefully they will live longer happier lives,” Sanford said.
Dr. Rebecca Grant, a family physician at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center and a 1999 graduate of Portsmouth High School, presented information on diabetes.
“I talked about why people should care about diabetes, how to prevent diabetes, how to get diagnosed and what to do once you are diagnosed,” Grant said. “It’s imperative to know if you are at risk for certain health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, along with others, so you can get to your doctor and get treatment.”
The theme for this year’s health fair was “I feel good!”
Portsmouth Inner City Development Corporation will hold another community health fair called “Zumba Explosion” on Saturday, April 28, at the 14th Street Community Center. The event includes a free two-hour Zumba class, as well as a Zumba class for kids. The event will start at 10 a.m.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.


















