Volunteers hold signs indicating an example of the many languages spoken at the Diversity Health Fair in Vancouver - Photo courtesy of Diversity Health Fair

On March 3, the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA) will be holding its eighth Diversity Health Fair.

“It will be an event that gathers a vast number of health-related resources all in one place so that immigrants can enjoy full access to information that correlate with their own cultural perspectives of health,” says Jessica Chant, Diversity Health Fair coordinator.

To the surprise of many, health care and diversity are in fact two very closely related topics. Chant illustrates why the Multicultural Health Program has become such a major component of AMSSA.

“Over the years, we’ve found that new immigrants become less healthy over time,” says Chant.

“This is due to the barriers that exist between these immigrants and the Canadian health system.”

Jessica Chant - Photo courtesy of Diversity Health Fair

Chant says that one big hurdle for new immigrants is the different perspectives as well as language barriers.

“For instance, some immigrants may be more comfortable with herbal medicine and acupuncture,” says Chant. “It’s important, then, to provide the related resources so that when medical assistance is required, they can seek what they’re most comfortable with.”

AMSSA, over the past seven years, has hosted similar events annually. Last year, there were over 3,500 people who attended the Health Fair. The attendees benefited from healthy cooking demonstrations, free health screenings, countless health-related exhibitors, and multicultural performances.

This year, the theme is “Cancer Prevention and Early Detection”. AMSSA is anticipating it to be the biggest and best fair to date.

“There will be even more resources, and more fun. There will be five different multicultural performances, over 50 exhibitors, and four different cooking demonstration sessions. Attendees can have their blood, hearing or lungs tested for free.”

In correlation with the theme of this year’s Diversity Health Fair, most of the programs featured will have some perspective on cancer prevention. The fair will also teach important aspects of healthy living, and making choices that prevent other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, and diabetes.

“Again, the most important goal of this event is to build bridges between immigrants and the resources available. We will do our best to facilitate that process,” says Chant.

“Over 32 languages will be represented. Therefore English proficiency is not a problem. Anyone with little or no English experience is welcomed, in fact, encouraged to attend.”

The 2012 Vancouver Diversity Health Fair will take place at Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.amssa.org.