Program provides health tools and testing to Buffalo region

Niagara Falls resident Melody Breaux has lost more than 50 pounds over the past few years.

She employed common weight-loss strategies, such as changing her diet and increasing her exercise, but also benefited from knowledge and resources she gained from the Independent Health Foundation’s Good for the Neighborhood program.

Good for the Neighborhood hosts community health fairs throughout Western New York and provides critical health tools and resources to help underserved families eat right, stay active, get medical help when needed, and live a smoke-free lifestyle.

At these free events, adults can get their blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure tested, have their BMI calculated and consult with health and wellness experts. Children and family activities are offered, community health resources are available and all attendees receive a bag full of fresh produce.

Launched in 2006, “Good for the Neighborhood” is one of the longest-running programs at Independent Health Foundation, the community outreach arm of the local health insurer.

Most of the related events take place in the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, but the foundation also hosts programs in Lackawanna, Akron and East Aurora.

Last year, 26 events were held at nine locations in Erie and Niagara counties, with about 2,600 Western New York residents participating in the program, according to data from the Independent Health Foundation.

“We just want to be a voice for our participants and neighbors who need help,” said Labee Ba, project specialist at the Independent Health Foundation, which manages the program.

Breaux has been attending Good for the Neighborhood events since her son, now 26, was a child. She said she learns something new every time, and that knowledge is what keeps her coming back.

At a recent “Good for the Neighborhood” event at the Packard Community Centre in Niagara Falls, Breaux learned about testing strips to check for fentanyl in drugs.

“Health literacy and community literacy are so important,” she said.

Breaux said she often accompanies her son, who has a disability, to events to help him connect with the community and learn what resources are available to help him.

Last year, Breaux was one of 650 Western New York residents who received free health screenings through Good for the Neighborhood. A Wegmans pharmacist checked participants’ vital signs and administered blood tests. Results were available within minutes, Breaux said, and the pharmacist explained the results to participants and encouraged them to see their doctor if necessary.

Pharmacists can also answer questions about medicines and common illnesses and symptoms.

Ba recalled an incident where a pharmacist immediately sent one of the participants to the hospital because his cholesterol levels were extremely high.

“This was a life-saving situation for that person,” Ba said. “That’s why we strongly encourage health screening, because we know that a lot of people don’t have health insurance, can’t afford it, and they think they’re fine.”

For those who don’t have health insurance, Independent Health’s enrollment team can answer questions about getting insurance and help them find a plan they can afford, Ba said.

The program also aims to address transportation limitations, access to healthy foods and other social determinants of health and wellness.

“When you’re working and trying to go to the doctor, sometimes it can be difficult because of office hours,” said Josh Sawyer, a pharmacist at Independent Health. “When you consider the social determinants of health, like travel and childcare, it can be difficult to get to a health care provider.”

Sawyer said she typically gets the most questions about diabetes medications and how to manage blood sugar levels at the events. Other common questions include mental health medications and high blood pressure.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity are more prevalent in the low-income areas served by the program.

“There are definitely disparities in this,” Sawyer said, “so going into these hard-to-reach areas is often a great way to get the message out.”

Good for the Neighborhood has eight events scheduled across Western New York this summer, with the next event taking place on July 18th at the Akron Senior Center, followed by a health fair on July 25th at Buffalo’s Westside Community Center.

For a complete list, visit goodfortheneighborhood.com/calendar.