The Californer - Long Beach: Health Department Hosts Spring into Health Event

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is excited to announce the return of its annual Spring into Health event for its second year. The event will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cal Rec Community Center at Ernest McBride Park located at 1550 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. This year's event will focus on serving Long Beach's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities with the goal of increasing vaccination rates among these populations.

According to Mayor Rex Richardson, "With this year's Spring into Health event, we are expanding services to further serve our Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. By adding the Hepatitis B vaccine to our many offerings of health resources, education, and programs, we are taking a step forward in addressing both the immediate health care needs and long-term wellness of our community."

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The Spring into Health event will provide a variety of health services and resources at no cost to attendees. This includes flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as well as Hepatitis B vaccinations for the first time. Data has shown that AAPI communities are disproportionately affected by Hepatitis B and have lower vaccination rates. In addition to vaccinations, the Health Department will also connect attendees with various department programs, Medi-Cal, Dignity Health's Educated Men with Meaningful Messages program, Cambodian-focused community-based organizations, and other community resources. Attendees who receive a vaccination at the event will also have the chance to enter a gift card opportunity drawing.

City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis stated that "This event is an opportunity for residents to access critical services in a culturally competent and welcoming environment."

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The decision to hold this year's Spring into Health event specifically for AAPI communities was based on data collected from a community assessment conducted by the Health Department in 2023. The assessment included data from Cambodian community members to better understand their beliefs and barriers regarding COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. The results showed that 40% of respondents reported difficulty accessing vaccination sites or not knowing where to go, highlighting the importance of bringing services directly into the community. Ernest McBride Park was chosen as the venue for this year's event due to its location within a neighborhood with a significant Cambodian population, further aligning with the event's goal of reaching local AAPI communities.

This event also supports the Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan and builds on the Health Department's Hepatitis B grant initiative, which focuses on reducing health disparities and increasing vaccination rates in underserved populations.

For more information or to join the Spring into Health event, individuals can visit longbeach.gov/immunizations.

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