The 17th Annual Women’s Health Expo (
http://kjlhradio.com/event/womens-health-expo) was held at the Long Beach Convention Center this year featuring a live broadcast on radio station KJLH 102.3FM serving the Los Angeles area. KJLH is owned by Taxi Productions who in turn is owned by musician, singer, songwriter, record producer Stevie Wonder.
Speakers consisted of medical professionals ranging from specialties in endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, ophthalmology, Alzheimer’s disease, psycho social oncology, cardiovascular, transitional care, oral health and wellness, offering attendees an opportunity to speak one on one with specialists during breakout sessions and participate in health screenings which include spinal exams, kidney screenings, glucose, blood pressure, body composition analysis, C3 screening, dental, mammograms and HIV/Aids testing.
Participants enjoyed a yoga class and a poetry commemoration remembering the 25th Anniversary of Civil unrest in Los Angeles (1992 – LA Riots.) and heard a greeting by Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
The Aids Healthcare Foundation presented a program entitled, “What Women Want to Know From Men” to a standing room only audience where ladies could ask men anything from, “Why do men cheat?” “Do plus sized women have a chance?” “When’s the best time to have the safer sex/let’s get tested talk with your new man?” Hosted by 3X NAACP award winner Tammi Mac (http://kjlhradio.com/event/tammi-mac-bag-lady), the panel consisted of the men of Black and Sexy TV featuring one of R& B’s hottest – Raheem Devaughn. Raheem gave a special acoustic performance in the Grand Ballroom later that afternoon. There were prize giveaways throughout the day.
WomenBicycling.com spoke with many women who were Long Beach locals while others had traveled by train from the Los Angeles area having enjoyed previous Women’s Health Expos. One woman by the name of Dretona was there with her daughter Sydney telling an especially heart warming story. Sydney wore a face mask having undergone surgery a little more than two weeks ago for neuro-facial tumors. Sydney’s surgery came about through a series of “tweets” that found their way to Harvard trained, Beverly Hills surgeon, Dr. Michael K. Obeng, (
http://www.mikoplasticsurgery.com/dr-michael-k-obeng), considered one of America’s top plastic surgeons who provided his surgical expertise to Sydney at no cost. The good doctor has graciously offered to perform the two additional surgeries that Sydney requires. You could see and hear the gratitude they both had for Dr. Obeng’s kindness and generosity.
African American women who want to improve their health and fitness will without a doubt be looking anxiously toward next years celebration of “Healthy and Beautiful” at the18th Annual Women’s Health Expo.
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