Community health fairs facilitate disease detection, health education, and community engagement. For over a decade, the United Asian American Medical Student Association (UAAMSA) at the University of Michigan (U-M) has conducted annual health fairs for the local Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population. In April 2023, UAAMSA held the first fair since the COVID-19 pandemic on U-M’s campus. We aimed to re-introduce health screenings post-pandemic, understand changes in our target population’s health needs, and promote student involvement.
Similar to pre-pandemic approaches, the April 2023 fair primarily used print advertisements and featured health screenings, information booths, and educational seminars on prevalent AAPI conditions. Screenings covered blood pressure, HbA1c, and lipids. Physician-led seminars discussed cardiovascular health, diabetes, eye health, and hepatitis B. Participants were surveyed on demographics, health status and risk factors, and COVID-19’s impact. Post-event debriefs were conducted with student organizers and community stakeholders.
Despite offering similar services at the same venue, 35 participants attended the 2023 Asian Health Fair compared to ~130 in pre-pandemic years. Mean age was 49.7 (SD:21.4); 41% were male. 46% had private insurance, 11% had Medicare, and 11% were uninsured. 80% had a regular doctor, and 93% had a health maintenance exam within the past 2 years. Out of 16 respondents, 37.5% met criteria for pre-diabetes or diabetes and 62.5% met criteria for hypertension, with at least one patient meeting criteria for a previously undiagnosed condition. Participants particularly appreciated onsite medical interpretation and educational seminars. Three themes were identified as potential reasons for decreased attendance this year: pandemic-related apprehension, loss of previously established community relationships, and unaccounted for post-pandemic media consumption changes.
Health screenings and education continue to provide valuable community services as hypertension and diabetes remain prominent AAPI concerns. Since centralized health fairs for pan-Asian populations are limited in delivering targeted programming, new approaches are needed to combat low post-pandemic engagement. Alternative community-specific approaches offer potential solutions: more accessible venues, targeted health education, and integration of screenings within preorganized community celebrations. Medical student-led screenings face challenges such as rapid leadership turnover, calling for adaptable and replicable health fair toolkits.