Among this country’s most glaring divisions is our unequal access to on-demand high-quality health care. Here on the South Coast, many undocumented residents do not qualify for any form of county, state or federal health insurance coverage. It can be easy to justify putting off that eye exam, dental check-up, STD test or flu vaccine when you’re paying out of pocket for everything. Even with health insurance, convenience and accessibility are major factors for South Coast residents. It can be hard to take time off work and find transportation to visit a doctor’s office more than an hour away. Enter Molly Wolfes and the Puente Health Fair. Wolfes, Puente’s Community Health Coordinator, had the idea to bring dozens of regional health care providers together for a daylong one-stop shop for health and wellness: free check-ups, screenings, education, games and music. “My goal has been to advocate for the part of our population that has the least power and the least voice, the least opportunity to access health care on their own,” says Wolfes. Last year’s inaugural Health Fair attracted more than 200 people from Pescadero, La Honda, San Gregorio and Loma Mar – a major accomplishment for any community event, let alone a health-related one in its first year. This year’s Health Fair will be even bigger, with more health … Continue reading Until all are well: Puente Health Fair returns to the South Coast