BAPS Charities focused on timely diagnosis and prevention techniques as part of its annual health fair on Saturday, September 28, 2013 in Lilburn, Georgia.

16TH ANNUAL BAPS CHARITIES HEALTH FAIR HELD IN LILBURN, GA.

Heart Disease. Diabetes. Obesity. These are only a few of the prevalent health issues that Americans face every day; however, many people are not even aware that they are at risk. In order to address this, BAPS Charities focused on timely diagnosis and prevention techniques as part of its annual health fair on Saturday, September 28, 2013 in Lilburn, Georgia.

In providing screenings and examinations to over 600 participants throughout the day, the BAPS Charities health fair aimed to provide healthcare services to community members who may have challenges to accessing such services on their own. In addition to routine testing, participants had the opportunity to consult with various specialists to discuss their health concerns, risk factors, methods of prevention and other related information.

"The reason that we organize this health fair every year is to give individuals the resources to better their health," said Dr. Kalpesh Patel, a medical research specialist and local BAPS Charities volunteer.

The Health Fair brought together over 80 professionals and specialists from numerous fields including cardiology, family practice, pediatrics, physical therapy, nutrition, naturopathy, psychiatry, ophthalmology, gynecology, orthopedics, internal medicine, chiropractors and even, stress and pain management. In the spirit of helping others, these healthcare professionals donated their own time to volunteer their services to the community.

Dr. Purvi Patel, a podiatrist from Atlanta, commented, "The health fair is an opportunity for me to give back to the community. By meeting patients today, I am able to give them advise on small steps they can take to improve their overall health in the way of stretches and exercises."

Through the numerous healthcare professionals available, BAPS Charities was able to offer approximately 14 different types of tests including complete blood count, blood glucose, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, cholesterol panel, thyroid test, and PSA (for men). Additional health screening included diabetes, cholesterol, body fat analysis, eye and dental issues, anemia, and skin problems. Alongside this, patients were able to consult one on one with specialists to review their screening results and determine what measures they could take to live a healthier lifestyle. “This is a great opportunity for people to learn about specialties they didn't consider visiting before as they may not know they need to. It is so helpful that so many specialist are available today because they can go talk to each one and find solutions to all their healthcare needs.” said Dr. Sandra Earl, a chiropractor from Atlanta, Georgia.

The Health Fair not only aimed to help patients realize health challenges they were facing, but also provided an educational platform to combat these diseases. A series of booths provided information on public health awareness, healthy lifestyle habits, healthcare policies, and preventive medicine, with experts on hand to provide further guidance. The platform provided an avenue for patients, who also had the opportunity to attend health seminars, to learn more about leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This ranged from teaching patients daily exercises, such as performing yoga for physical fitness, common health issues, and medication use.

In 2013, with 38 such health fairs organized throughout North America, BAPS Charities enabled nearly 1,760 health professionals to address the needs of 11,818 fair participants in local communities across the nation. Extending that sentiment throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs, walkathons, education and career development seminars, disaster relief operations, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life of individuals and families.

About BAPS Charities

BAPS Charities is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit international charity organization committed to sincerely serving the world by caring for individuals, families, and communities. It is affiliated with BAPS as an independent charity and social services arm. The 55,000 BAPS volunteers networked in over 3,300 centers around the world provide over 12 million volunteer-hours of service annually.

Among social service charities, BAPS Charities is a well-respected and trusted name. It has amassed over 50 years of firsthand experience in initiating, managing, and sustaining 160 humanitarian operations throughout the world in such diverse fields as: medical services, environmental services, community services, tribal services, and disaster relief services.

For additional information on BAPS Charities and its international and local philanthropic activities, please visit www.bapscharities.org