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One-Stop Health at BCCC through Beau-Fitt Fair



It was a day for kale salad and chiropractor adjustments as Beaufort County Community College’s Beau-Fitt program held its second annual health fair on May 15. The free event educated the community about diabetes prevention, childhood obesity and other health related issues.

“People really appreciated that they could get everything in one location,” said Julie Crippen, grant writer for BCCC, referring the mix of public health outreach, food vendors and fitness businesses. Over a hundred people attended the event, and 33 received health assessments from Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

Nicole Cross Massage offered free massages, and Omega Sports provided an opportunity to try on running shoes. Fitness Unlimited offered juice samples, while Carryout by Chrislyn offered healthy treats, and The Hackney offered kale salad. BCCC’s community garden project and Summer Enrichment for Kids summer programs gave out plants and information about summer programs, respectively.

Students from a health science class at Columbia Early College High School came to check out the fair.

“I was surprised at how many people don’t know they can use our fitness trail,” said Julie Crippen, grant writer for BCCC. “It’s here for the community to use from dawn to dusk.” The one-mile IM-FITT trail has exercise stations and meanders around the BCCC campus. Kate B. Reynolds Foundation and MDC funded the construction of the trail.

The Beau-Fitt program has provided health and wellness sessions for the past three years. While the rate of heart disease has decreased in Beaufort County, it is still higher than the North Carolina average. Diabetes, on the other hand, has increased in the county, significantly diverging from a trend across the state. Cancer rates in the county are following a statewide trend downward. These statistics are according to the latest State of the County Health Report, and much of the data is based on a 2014 health assessment, before the Beau-Fitt program started.

Through its Beau-Fitt program, BCCC continues to work with healthcare providers, county agencies, businesses and foundations to improve the health of its students, employees and county residents.










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