Free pop-up clinic offers diabetes screening, prostate tests and more for Black communities in Brampton

There’s a free pop-up wellness fair coming to help with the health care concerns of Black, African, and Caribbean communities in Brampton, a city with one of the highest rates of diabetes in Ontario.

Roots Community Services is holding its Community Wellness Fair this weekend at the Brampton Farmers’ Market, offering free check-ups, school immunizations, mental health support and screening for cancer, diabetes and HIV.

The initiative was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic to promote immunizations in Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) communities that can be hesitant and even resistant to being vaccinated.

Roots says members of BAC communities are less likely to have a primary health care provider and are also more likely to experience racism and barriers while seeking medical care. And with the pandemic making access to preventative health care even more difficult, Roots and other partners say community wellness fairs offer “a safe, supportive space to receive education, resources and have your questions answered by health and wellness providers.”

Here are some of the services being offered at the BAC Community Wellness Fair:

• Free blood pressure checks and consultations.
• Immunizations for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis B (Hep B) and Meningococcal ACYW-135.
• Diabetes testing.
• Cancer screening and prevention.
• Mental health and wellness.
• Services for seniors
• Free HIV self-test kits
• Health supports for the entire family
• Skin and hair health

Along with health care services, the event will feature family-friendly activities like a free basketball skills clinic, musical acts, giveaways and a special performance by comedian Jay Martin.

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As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing and culturally diverse cities, the William Osler Health System has said Brampton has the highest rate of diabetes across the province. The federal government introduced a bill earlier this year that charts a course toward a universal pharmacare plan which would cover diabetes drugs and supplies.

You can visit the Roots Community Services BAC Community Wellness Fair at the Brampton Farmers’ Market on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit www.rootscs.org.