The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., would like to extend a warm thank you to the Miss-Lou community and surrounding parishes that participated in our health fair, Oct. 4, at the Natchez Mall.

The health fair was truly a success. Two-hundred people attended the fair. I was not shocked or surprised about the number of participants, with the decline of jobs, health care services and health insurance. In this 21st century, people are more concerned about their health care. Having health care is more crucial than ever before.

Health care can’t be discussed enough. For all of your wealth, it means nothing without good health. As you may know, Mississippi leads the list for most severe health conditions. Blacks lead the list in diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer, just to name a few. Health problems are more easily treated when they are caught early, so care for yourself by having tests and screenings on time. These include cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and colorectal test for all adults and breast screenings for women and prostate screenings for men.

Know your numbers. A healthy blood pressure is 120/80. Healthy cholesterol is less than 200. A healthy glucose (blood sugar) is 70 to 110. A body mass index of 18.5-24.9 is normal. A waist measurement for men over 40 inches and women over 35 inches indicates weight-related problems.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to community service, leadership development and the enhancement of career opportunities through networking and programming. I’d like to offer a warm thank you to the organizations that represented at the health fair: Alcorn State University School of Nursing- Associate Degree Program, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses Association, Epilepsy Foundation, Diabetes Association of Mississippi, Leukemia Foundation, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, Walmart Vision and Walt Wilson, respiratory therapist.

When self doubts sets in, remind yourself of all you’ve achieved in the past. Don’t cheat your body, treat your body.

Joyce Griffin is a registered nurse and health chair of the Coalition of 100 Black Women.