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AM EYE HEALTHY? EVENTS
Am Eye Healthy? promotes eye health awareness and the importance of preventative care at numerous events throughout the year. Activities we have participated in or hosted include:
- AMD Roundtable Discussion – September 21, 2006
- NAACP Convention – July 15 - 18, 2006
- LULAC Convention – June 28 - 30, 2006
- Am Eye Healthy? Launch Event – February 1, 2006
- White House Conference on Aging – December 11 - 14, 2005
AMD Roundtable Discussion – September 21, 2006
Am Eye Healthy? and its partner the National Association for Visually Handicapped brought together some of the leading organizations and individuals in the AMD field for a thought-provoking roundtable discussion entitled Prioritizing the Patient: a Holistic Approach to AMD Case Management. The goal of the roundtable was to achieve a general consensus and produce a report for use by practitioners on how to better address the needs of patients with AMD. To view a copy of the report click here.
NAACP Convention – July 15 - 18 2006
Due to the prevalence of eye disease among African Americans, notably glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, Am Eye Healthy? chose to exhibit at the NAACP's annual convention in Washington, DC. Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its convention draws more than 12,000 attendees, including NAACP members, grassroots activists, policy makers and corporate leaders.
As part of the NAACP Health Fair, Am Eye Healthy? and volunteers from Prevent Blindness National Capital Area and Howard University Hospital distributed information and provided free vision screenings (acuity and glaucoma) to conference participants. Of the 297 individuals screened, 119 were referred for follow-up care due to risk factors, visual acuity and/or visual fields. These results highlight the continued need for increased eye health education among African-Americans and demonstrate the enormous contribution Am Eye Healthy? made to the convention.
LULAC Convention – June 26 - 30, 2006
As Latinos, due to poor eye health education and a genetic predisposition for eye disease, have higher rates of visual impairment than any other race or ethnicity, Am Eye Healthy? chose to exhibit at the 2006 League of United Latin America Citizens (LULAC) National Convention Health Fair. LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States. Its annual convention draws over 10,000 people each year including the top leaders from government, business, and the Hispanic community.
Am Eye Healthy? and volunteers from Prevent Blindness Wisconsin provided free vision screenings (acuity and glaucoma) and bilingual information to conference attendees, employees and Milwaukee residents during the three-day exhibition.
Am Eye Healthy? Launch – February 1, 2006
Am Eye Healthy? formally launched its campaign on Capitol Hill as part of Eye Health Awareness Day. The launch event featured prominent speakers including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Representative Gene Green, Dr. Emily Chew, M.D., of the National Eye Institute of NIH, Dan Garrett of Prevent Blindness America, and Paulo Costa of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Thanks to Prevent Blindness National Capital Area, three eye care professionals administered screenings to seniors that attended the event from a Washington DC senior center.
Meanwhile, similar press events and free screenings were taking place simultaneously in Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Nashville, New York City, and St. Petersburg. Local events run by Am Eye Healthy? partner Prevent Blindness America provided free vision screenings, eye-health related speakers, visits from community leaders, and educational materials. Through media coverage and individual participation, Am Eye Healthy? helped raise awareness and educate Americans across the country about the importance of eye health.
White House Conference on Aging – December 11 - 14, 2005
The Am Eye Healthy? campaign exhibited at the 2006 White House Conference on Aging. This event, which occurs once a decade, is convened to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence and economic security of current and future generations of older persons.
At the conference, Am Eye Healthy?, with the help of volunteers from Prevent Blindness National Capital Area, disseminated important eye health information and provided free vision screenings for conference attendees.
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