African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) is proud to host the 5th Annual Uhuru Health Festival & Flea Market at Clark Park on 43rd and Chester Ave in Philadelphia on April 23, 2016!
APEDF and our many health partners are organizing for “Black Health Matters – Black Community Control of Our Health,” putting the African community’s health back in our own hands!
The Health Festival will start at 9am, until 5pm. Our program will include powerful presentations from APEDF President Ona Zene Yeshitela; Lisa Davis from the Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations; and John Thomas, Manager of the All People’s TyRon Lewis Community Gym.
The city of Philadelphia has the highest disparity in life expectancy in the U.S.An African born in north Philly’s Strawberry Mansion has a life expectancy that is 20 years less than a white person born in Society Hill.
This is caused by Africans’ lack of access to healthy food, clean water and affordable health care; the stress of poverty and unemployment; substandard and underfunded education; toxic pollution and daily police occupation and terror in the African community, etc.
All these conditions are caused by the colonial conditions under which we live.
These dire conditions lead to higher rates of diabetes, cancer, asthma, HIV, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other conditions. Statistics have shown that African men are 50% more likely to develop lung cancer. Strokes kill 4 times more Africans than white people aged 35-50. The African community also has much higher rates of high blood pressure.
The Uhuru Health Festival brings together health practitioners from across Philadelphia to provide education and resources to the community.
The Refugee Health Partners are doing free eye tests and screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar.
UPenn Oral Health will be giving free dental referrals. Free HIV testing will be provided by Philadelphia FIGHT. There will be programs on nutrition from the Food Trust; information from the Black Women’s Health Alliance and the Men’s Health Collective; free information and health resources for babies and children; and more!
The day’s events will also feature free exercise workshops, including Zumba with Michelle Mercer, Soul Line Dance led by Gloria Kingcade, two yoga workshops including African Kemetic Yoga by Marina Olokuni, live music and speakers on the subjects of health and our community!
The Flea Market will house over 100 vendors who will be selling food, books, records, collectibles, African and Indigenous arts and crafts, bicycles, vintage clothing and household items, and more!
Africans are taking charge of our own health and the health of our entire community!
Through the Uhuru Health Festival & Flea Market and other important programs, APEDF is bringing information and resources so that Africans and other oppressed people can organize in our own interest for self-reliance and self-determination.
Come out and participate––help build this exciting event!
Black Health Matters!
Join support APEDF!
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