Newsroom | Community Health

The Lacy Community Center was transformed into a block party Nov. 18 as the host site of the inaugural North Tulsa Rock the Block Health Fair sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

With more than 40 vendors, the event included free turkeys and food trucks, along with no-cost health screenings and immunizations for children and adults. Entertainment included a drumline, DJ, face painting and kids’ zone for children, along with prizes and other giveaways. An estimated 1,000 people from the North Tulsa community attended the event.

“BCBSOK decided they wanted to host an event that was focused on the social determinants of health, which I thought was an awesome idea,” Tulsa District 1 City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper says. “The reality is it is the social determinants that make up the health of a community, a city and country. When corporations like BCBSOK can partner with other organizations and the focus is on these types of issues, I think it’s best for all involved. It’s best for corporations and, more importantly, best for people.”

The event helped provide access to basic health care needs and educate people about the importance of health and wellness in the community.

“Environment is one of the social determinants of health,” Hall-Harper says. “One of the problems that Black, brown and poorer communities suffer from is access, not having access to healthier foods in grocery stores, not having access to health care, immunizations and those types of things that families need. When we’re able to make that more accessible to those individuals and the communities who suffer in that regard, that is life-changing at the end of the day and changes the health trajectory of a family.”

BCBSOK Community Outreach Specialist Senecca Collins says the event helped BCBSOK educate the community about the value of health insurance and connect to the community as well.

“Our goal is to provide a positive impact on our community, which I think we did,” Collins says. “I think it helps distinguish BCBSOK from other health insurers because we are here in the community doing our part and letting them know we care.”