Health expo in DeKalb hosted by NAACP offers free screenings

Residents can get free health checks this weekend at a health expo in South DeKalb.

The DeKalb County branch of the NAACP is hosting the expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. At The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall, families can meet with health professionals and get blood pressure and glucose screenings.

Residents can also get tested for HIV and Hepatitis C, and receive education on heart disease and mental health, according to Cherry Willis, the health committee chairperson for the local NAACP branch.

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"This free event is important for our community because it allows families to work with health professionals to detect problems early and plan for a healthy life," Willis said in a statement. "The health professionals at this event have been able to find illnesses early in some families and even prevented the diseases from getting worse."

Students returning to school on Monday can get some free school supplies at the expo (while supplies last), and receive dental checks.

A nutritionist will also be on hand to meet with families and discuss health food selection and preparation.

“This helps a family because a lot of the foods we are eating are causing us to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes,” Willis said. “These are some of the leading causes of early death in our community.”