‘It starts the process:’ Block party event connects community with local health resources

SALISBURY, Md. – Woodbrook Drive was home to a block party event Saturday with over 25 community organizations. The goal was to keep the growing population on the Eastern Shore healthy.

It was partnership between Chesapeake Health Care, Tidal Health, and Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates.

There was also a variety of health and wellness providers offering free screenings, flu shots, Covid-19 boosters, and giving out information on insurance products.

Organizers say there’ still much anxiety associated with a traditional clinical setting and the event was an opportunity to meet people where they are. “Sometimes the people need to feel comfortable before they come in. We often try to find out what their social determinants of care are because they can’t take care of their health unless they can take care of the basics needs in their life,” Chesapeake Health Care Outreach Coordinator Candice Johnson said.

“It starts the process so you can start getting your health evaluated. You can start learning what’s important and why it’s important. The hope is that will cause people to start wanting to make all these small steps of change to help improve their health care,” POA Director of Strategic Planning and Businesses Development Francesca Kirk said.

Both organizations tell us that getting connected with a primary care physician is key to better health outcomes.