The Coalfield Community Health Fair Journey

In late 2022, the Beckley Community Coalition launched a mission to improve community health with a wellness workshop at Raleigh General Hospital’s education building. As interest grew and COVID-19 highlighted the need for more comprehensive health initiatives, Raleigh General and Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospitals expanded the event to the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. This led to the first Coalfield Community Health Fair in March 2023. 
 
The first Coalfield Community Health Fair, held in March 2023, marked a milestone in community health outreach. The fair brought over 500 community members and 70 organizations together and offered essential health services, from immunizations to CPR training.

1. Immunizations: Administered flu shots, COVID booster shots, and distributed 350 COVID-19 testing kits.
2. Chronic Kidney Disease Education: Provided vital information on managing chronic kidney disease.
3. Opioid Education: Reached 260 participants, distributed 60 doses of Narcan, and provided beneficiaries with 48 Fentanyl Test Strips.
4. Hypertension Education: Conducted 27 blood pressure readings, identified six elevated cases, and advised follow-up with healthcare providers.
5. Heart Health Education: Offered insights into cardiac rehabilitation.
6. Diabetes Education: Performed approximately 100 blood sugar tests and shared crucial diabetes management resources.
7. CPR Training: Equipped 27 individuals with lifesaving CPR skills.

The success of this first event highlighted the community’s need for ongoing health education and services. Due to high demand from both attendees and organizations, the Beckley Community Coalition planned a follow-up event for fall 2023.

Held in October at the Raleigh County Convention Center, the 2023 Wellness Workshop featured 70 vendors and welcomed about 575 participants. This event built on the previous one, offering information on important topics like hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, opioid awareness, care coordination, immunizations, cardiac health, and healthcare navigation.

• Vaccinations: Administered 31 flu shots and 30 COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Naloxone Training: Distributed 48 doses and trained 65 beneficiaries in its use.
• Blood Pressure Monitoring: Measured 65 blood pressures, with five results flagged as abnormal, followed by guidance for further consultation.
• Community Care Kits: 221 kits, including hygiene, feminine hygiene, pregnancy, and baby care kits, were distributed.
• CPR Training: Trained 82 individuals in CPR.

The October 2024 Wellness Workshop was another success, bringing together 70 vendors and around 500 community members. The event covered key health topics like hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, opioid awareness, care coordination, immunizations, and cardiac health. The wide range of services provided showed its positive impact on the community.

• Vaccinations: Administered 55 influenza vaccinations, 17 COVID-19 vaccinations, 10 pneumococcal vaccinations and 9 RSV vaccinations.
• Dental Screenings: Provided dental checks for 15 beneficiaries
• Pulse Oximetry Screenings: Completed 250 screenings
• Fall Risk Assessments: Conducted 40 assessments
• Glucose Monitoring: Performed five glucose screenings
• Community Care Kits: Distributed 242 kits including hygiene and health care supplies

These events have become a powerful example of community collaboration and the need for accessible health education, inspiring the Beckley Community Coalition to make the Coalfield Community Health Fair an annual commitment to serving and uplifting community health.