Health Screenings and Wellness at Center of Mayor’s Health Summit

In an effort to promote healthy living in Orange County, Mayor Teresa Jacobs recently held the 2014 Mayor’s Health Summit, which offered citizens free health screenings and information sessions at the Renaissance Senior Center in East Orange County.

“In Orange County, we are truly blessed with incredible natural resources that allow for year round activities and exercise,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “From trails and parks to hiking and bicycling, we have an abundance of recreational amenities to support a healthy lifestyle. Our annual health summit is a wonderful way to kick-start healthy living.”

In addition to offering access to blood pressure and lipid checks, Body Mass Index readings (BMI) and developmental screenings, the Health Summit offered detailed information sessions on diabetes, colon, breast and cervical cancer.

Attendees also interacted with health care professionals and gained information on how to support a healthier lifestyle from partner agencies like the University of Florida Cooperative Extension, which offered healthy cooking demonstrations. Citizens had the opportunity to visit Florida Hospital’s mobile mammography unit while Orlando Health representatives assisted residents with vital health screenings. Additionally, Lake Nona’s Nemours Children’s Hospital offered citizens child developmental screenings.

“It was great having a mix of resources from active aging opportunities through the County’s Parks and Recreation Division and Florida Hospital’s Healthy 100 program, to the critical support services available for frail elders in our region,” said Mimi Reggentin, program manager for Orange County’s Office on Aging. “The Mayor’s Health Summit looked at the entire continuum of a person’s health needs.”

Norma Asencio, chair of Orange County’s Minority Outreach and Elder Ambassador Committee, spent the day assisting several Hispanic constituents at the Health Summit.

“As a bi-lingual resident, I was able to talk with many of the Hispanic seniors who attended the Mayor’s Health Summit who were seeking information about elder services,” Asencio said. “Being part of the launch of the Elder Ambassador program is extremely satisfying. Opportunities like the Mayor’s Health Summit make Orange County a great community.”

Several health partners who attended the Health Summit said wellness and healthy living has become a priority for residents in Central Florida.

“The Health Fair provided a great opportunity for health professionals to inform our citizens about healthy cooking and critical diseases like cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Vilma Quintana, Community Educator at Florida Blue. “It’s important for our citizens to have the vital health screenings that were offered at the Summit so that they can stay healthy and fit.”

A collection of photos from the Health Summit are available on Flickr for use by the media.