Health Care: More than 2,500 Medical Treatments Were Provided at Orange County’s Largest Free Health Fair

More than twenty-five hundred medical treatments were provided to patients accessing free health care, dental care, and other medical services as part of Orange County’s largest annual health fair held at Mile Square Park.
 
The October 27 event, hosted by Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and the Vietnamese Physicians Association of Southern California, provided Orange County residents with a range of free preventative care and screening services. More than 400 physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other care providers volunteered their time to assist patients with flu shots, cancer screening consultations, and dental services.
 
“Orange County is delivering vital health care services to patients in need,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, who was the title sponsor of the event and currently represents the First District on the Board of Supervisors. “We are grateful to all of the doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who volunteered their time and expertise to help patients access vital care.”
 
“The Vietnamese Physicians Association of Southern California is helping every patient in our community stay healthy and safe,” he added.  

Health Care Delivered to OC Patients

Source: Vietnamese Physicians Association of Southern California
 

Barriers Accessing Health Services

As a member of the County Board of Supervisors, Andrew Do has organized numerous community health fairs, which provide free and low-cost services to patients in need. The free community events eliminate barriers to accessing healthcare and address unmet healthcare needs, including a lack of preventive and screening services and treatment of illnesses.

“Many patients struggle with accessing health care because of language and cultural barriers,” said Supervisor Do. “Health fairs, such as this one, provide the adequate space, resources, and environment for Orange County residents to access care without barriers.”
 
The lack of cultural and linguistic competence among our health providers has affected many immigrant groups. Shifting demographic trends are associated with a higher need for improving health care services in community clinics and health centers in under-served communities.
 
“Limited English proficiency is a large reason as to why Asian American groups, such as Vietnamese Americans, don’t receive timely primary care and even behavioral health care,” Joe Lee, training and technical assistant director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, recently told the OC Register.